Classic Poem

Tho' Time may steal the roseate blush
On which I now so fondly gaze,
Its sternest power can never crush
The love which lit my youthful days.

Your cheek may blanch, your eye grow dim,
Your clustering locks with sorrow fade,
But still you'll be as dear to him
Who on your breast in Boyhood laid.

Who, o'er you bent whole happy hours,
Or round your form enraptured clung,
While Love and Hope transformed to flowers
The sharpest thorns that near him sprung.

Who, in his childish heart would cherish
Bright thoughts that kindled at your name,
Who'd rather Life and Peace should perish,
Than try to quench the glowing flame.

Who, when the warm and genial tide
Of youthful blood, flowed fresh and free,
Was only happy by your side,
Was never blest till loved by thee.

Time may steal on, and Age advance,
Affection's rays will brighter beam,
I'll love your eye's mild mellow'd glance,
As now I love its sparkling gleam.

And though the hand of Age may press
Its furrows on your gentle brow,
In meek and faded loveliness
'Twill be as dear as it is now.

The glow of Mind, the Spirit's light,
Which Time or Age can never take,
Will still shine on, undimmed and bright,
And many a holy rapture wake.

And Mem'ry will recall the hours
When side by side we sought the grove,
And there in Nature's beauteous bowers,
Poured forth our vows of mutual love.

While to my bounding heart I held
All that to that fond heart was dear,
And your unsullied bosom swelled
With Love, unchecked by doubt or fear.

And thus, while Mem'ry's power shall last,
Time ne'er can break Love's flowery chain
That links the present with the past,
And brings youth's pleasures back again.

Tho' Time may steal the roseate blush
On which I now so fondly gaze,
Its sternest power can never crush
The love which lit my youthful days.

Your cheek may blanch, your eye grow dim,
Your clustering locks with sorrow fade,
But still you'll be as dear to him
Who on your breast in Boyhood laid.

Who, o'er you bent whole happy hours,
Or round your form enraptured clung,
While Love and Hope transformed to flowers
The sharpest thorns that near him sprung.

Who, in his childish heart would cherish
Bright thoughts that kindled at your name,
Who'd rather Life and Peace should perish,
Than try to quench the glowing flame.

Who, when the warm and genial tide
Of youthful blood, flowed fresh and free,
Was only happy by your side,
Was never blest till loved by thee.

Time may steal on, and Age advance,
Affection's rays will brighter beam,
I'll love your eye's mild mellow'd glance,
As now I love its sparkling gleam.

And though the hand of Age may press
Its furrows on your gentle brow,
In meek and faded loveliness
'Twill be as dear as it is now.

The glow of Mind, the Spirit's light,
Which Time or Age can never take,
Will still shine on, undimmed and bright,
And many a holy rapture wake.

And Mem'ry will recall the hours
When side by side we sought the grove,
And there in Nature's beauteous bowers,
Poured forth our vows of mutual love.

While to my bounding heart I held
All that to that fond heart was dear,
And your unsullied bosom swelled
With Love, unchecked by doubt or fear.

And thus, while Mem'ry's power shall last,
Time ne'er can break Love's flowery chain
That links the present with the past,
And brings youth's pleasures back again.