Classic Poem

Encore des Amours.

Once I was musing, " I am old and lone;
Those gods have left me, whom in youth we hail:
The hope they gave me is for ever gone;
To close mine eyes that fickle troop will fail "
Lo! as I speak, a fairy comes, and smiles;
Soon as she speaks, my ravished senses play;
Ah! 'tis again some beauty full of wiles —
Not all the Loves, not all have flown away!
Yes, it may prove once more a source of pain,
But this repose is wearisome to bear;
Bowed down, at thirty, by a galling chain,
More joyous was I, though I felt more care
Oh, to my memory what old charms recur,
With this new queen, whom Heaven hath sent to-day!
Roses of autumn! shed your leaves for her —
Not all the Loves, not all have flown away!

Still with some tears mine eyes at times are fraught;
Still can my voice some amorous ditties pour —
Love we, and sing! By Beauty am I taught
To brave the storms that Winter hath in store.
All smiles around: each flower more brightly blooms;
The day more pure, the sky with stars more gay;
Through softer airs I hear their rustling plumes —
Not all the Loves, not all have flown away!