Classic Poem

Sitting at the cottage window
Gazing on the myrtle bloom,
Whilst the summer daylight dying
Mantles hill and vale with gloom:
Colder falls the starry evening,
Darker grows the narrow room;
Still she lingers at the casement
Gazing on the myrtle bloom.

Sudden, like a rose she blushes,
Angel light is in her glance,
Neck, and brow, and bosom, flushes,
As a step doth quick advance:
Sudden, pale as any moonlight
Falling on a wintry shore,
Fadeth cheek, and brow, and bosom,
As that step is heard no more!

“Never love nor hope,” she sayeth,
“If a breaking heart ye fear;
“Every blush of love betrayeth—
“Every breath of hope's a tear!”
Thus, unto herself, she moaneth,
List'ning mid the deep'ning gloom;
Sitting at the cottage casement,
Weeping o'er the myrtle bloom.