Littell's Living Age/Volume 143/Issue 1852/Familiar Faces

by Ethel Taine

Familiar Faces

I know the words are beautiful,
     That those well-chosen rhymes
Fall smoothly clear, and musical
     As softly calling chimes.

But seldom now I heed the flow
     Of rhymes so often told,
Although the thoughts that lie below
     Seem sweeter than of old.

'Tis much the same, O friend, with you:
     I often hardly see
How darkly fringed and deeply blue
     The eyes you turn on me.

Yes, words and faces that we know
     Will pall at times, I fear:
'Tis thoughts and souls that do but grow
     More intimately dear.