Classic Poem

Had Mona been, as many are,
Among the stars a shining star,
Another with her beaming face
Might shine upon me in her place.
But no. She shone before my sight
The moon of all my earthly light,
And none like her can ever rise
To lighten my benighted eyes.

The winds o'er bowing saplings fly,
The clouds swim on below the sky,
The water winds with ceaseless speed
By woody knowle and grassy mead;
Yet could I ride the water's face,
Or keep the wind's unslackened pace,
Nor stream below nor wind above
Could ever waft me to my love.

But time, that brings the nights and days
With silent flight, that never stays,
And guides the stream from hill to lea
To mingle with the rocking sea,
And brings the gathering cloud on high
To waft it from the clearing sky—
Oh! Time alone shall lead me on
At last to where my love is gone.