Classic Poem

Sweet Lady, I have watched thee now for years,
Taking thy stand beneath the almond tree;
When twilight fades, when the shy moon out-peers,
And stars steal out, then also cometh thee.
Yes, we are chosen friends, the stars and me;
They are so patient, and they watch so late;
They may have lovers, too. Howe'er that be,
True love can wait.

But time is fleeting, like the silver light,
The fickle light, that leaves the river's breast;
The winds are robbing blossoms of their white,—
And ah, how lonely is an empty nest!
Yet time and light and bloom touch not my quest,
I could not leave, unguarded, to its fate
My rose of faith for all the world holds best.
True love can wait.

Perhaps thy lover ill deserves thy trust.
What if another claims his wayward heart?
Then if he treads thy passion in the dust,
Choose some one else, and gayly play thy part!
Ah no, for love with me is not an art!
Nor would I curse my lover in such state;
False lights may tempt my sailor from his chart—
True love can wait.

Still thou art sinful—wasting strength and youth,
Forgetting woman's duty, all thy friends;
Loving a shade, some other's love, forsooth!
Come, drop thy vigil, fate will make amends.
I will not slight my duty nor life's ends;
My chief love makes my other loves more great;
Can Love be loved too much? That me defends!
True love can wait.

Sweet Lady! Let me seek thy dearest out;
Such love as thine the whole dull world must leaven.
Make me thy messenger, and have no doubt!
How may I know him? Hast thou tokens given?
Yes, we were pledged when sunset skies were riven,
With gifts of roses, by this wood-path gate.
Till night, till morn, till age, till death, till heaven,
True love can wait.

O Love! My boat is rocking on the tide,
I know the light that flashed between our eyes
So long ago, here by the river-side!
Oh, dost thou know me, Love, my bride, my prize?
O Love, if I had dreamed such dear surmise
My kisses would have made my tongue abate!
Oh, write it on the gates of Paradise:—
True love can wait.