past and present.
151
For sorrow's dark pall o'er her life hath been cast,
The life once so happy and gay;
And idols, as dear as the life-blood, have passed
From her heart's inmost temple away.
The life once so happy and gay;
And idols, as dear as the life-blood, have passed
From her heart's inmost temple away.
She is changed—the rare beauty, my pride and delight,
Like a blossom too soon hath decayed,
But her soul, a pure jewel transcendently bright,
Still shines, though the casket may fade.
Like a blossom too soon hath decayed,
But her soul, a pure jewel transcendently bright,
Still shines, though the casket may fade.
Sweet wife of my bosom, though years have flown o'er,
Since the moment I called thee my bride,
Yet the love that we cherished so fondly of yore,
Shall still keep me close to thy side.
Since the moment I called thee my bride,
Yet the love that we cherished so fondly of yore,
Shall still keep me close to thy side.
Shall still every thought of my being engage,
To prize all thy goodness and truth,
And still will I love thee as fondly in age,
As fondly I loved thee in youth.
To prize all thy goodness and truth,
And still will I love thee as fondly in age,
As fondly I loved thee in youth.
