Classic Poem

Though years have fled unheeded by,
And hearts and hopes have changed,
Yet oh! how oft sweet memory's eye
Across the past hath ranged,
While hope's young voice in music broke
Repeating one loved strain,
And thus it ran as love awoke —
O should we meet again!
O should we meet again, dear heart,
O should we meet again,
No power in time should make us part
If we should meet again!

What though we deem affection dead,
And smile away the past,
And shake at youth our wiser head
And say it cannot last;
Yet even then we touch a chord,
Which proves our lesson vain,
The wish escapes us in the word,
O should we meet again!
O should we meet again, dear heart,
O should we meet again.
No power in time should make us part,
If we should meet again.

Time takes more wisdom than it gives,
More truth than it imparts,
When sad experience only lives
To mock the simpler hearts.
Pack age and time and sorrow hence,
Which wrongly judge of gain,
Come, hope, imbue each longing sense
Until we meet again!
Until we meet again, dear heart,
Until we meet again,
No power in time shall make us part
When we do meet again.