For works with similar titles, see Constancy.
Not so for me—I could not brook
A love that changed with every wind:
A colder tone, a calmer look,
A passion less refined;
Though deep might flow the blessed tide,
I would not that its waves aside
Should turn a moment, though I knew
Again they'd seek the channel true.
CONSTANCY.
It is like love—Oh! love should be
An ever changing thing:
The love that I could worship, must
Be ever on the wing.
l.e.l.
An ever changing thing:
The love that I could worship, must
Be ever on the wing.
l.e.l.
Not so for me—I could not brook
A love that changed with every wind:
A colder tone, a calmer look,
A passion less refined;
Though deep might flow the blessed tide,
I would not that its waves aside
Should turn a moment, though I knew
Again they'd seek the channel true.
I could not bear an altered eye,
I could not list a careless lay—
A thoughtless tone, whose vague reply
Told the heart far away:
I would not other lips should praise,—
I would not other eyes should gaze,—
If one, and only one alone,
Felt the deep love that matched my own.
I could not list a careless lay—
A thoughtless tone, whose vague reply
Told the heart far away:
I would not other lips should praise,—
I would not other eyes should gaze,—
If one, and only one alone,
Felt the deep love that matched my own.
I would be prized all else above,
Valued as some peculiar star;
Worshipped, as if no other gem
Lit the blue arch afar.
Mine, the heart's deep devotion be,
Unchanging, half idolatry;
The polar beam, whose light divine
Nor sets, nor fades,—such love be mine.
Valued as some peculiar star;
Worshipped, as if no other gem
Lit the blue arch afar.
Mine, the heart's deep devotion be,
Unchanging, half idolatry;
The polar beam, whose light divine
Nor sets, nor fades,—such love be mine.
1839.