Believe me if all those endearing young charms
Which I gaze on so fondly today,
Were to change by tomorrow and fleet in my arms,
Like fairy gifts fading away,
Thou would'st still be ador'd, as this moment thou art,
Let thy loveliness fade as it will,
And around the dear ruin, each wish of my heart
Would entwine itself verdantly still.
It is not while beauty and youth are thine own,
And they cheek unprofan'd by a tear,
That the fervor and faith of a soul can be known,
To which time will but make thee more dear,
Oh, the heart that has truly loved never forgets,
But as truly love on to the close;
As the sunflower turns on her god when she sets,
The same look she gave when he rose.
