ONCE!
Once in your sight,
As May buds swell in the sun's warm light,
So grew her soul,
Yielding itself to your sweet control.
As May buds swell in the sun's warm light,
So grew her soul,
Yielding itself to your sweet control.
Once if you spoke,
Echoing strains in her heart awoke,
Sending a thrill
All through its chambers sweet and still.
Echoing strains in her heart awoke,
Sending a thrill
All through its chambers sweet and still.
Once if you said,
"Sweet, with Love's garland I crown your head,"
Ah! how the rose
Flooded her forehead's pale repose!
"Sweet, with Love's garland I crown your head,"
Ah! how the rose
Flooded her forehead's pale repose!
Once if your lip
Dared the pure sweetness of hers to sip,
Softly and meek'
Dark lashes drooped on a white rose cheek!
Dared the pure sweetness of hers to sip,
Softly and meek'
Dark lashes drooped on a white rose cheek!
Once if your name
Some one but whispered, a sudden flame
Burned on her cheek,
Telling a story she would not speak!
Some one but whispered, a sudden flame
Burned on her cheek,
Telling a story she would not speak!
You do but wait
At a sepulchre's sealed gate!
Her love is dead,
Bound hand and foot in its narrow bed.
At a sepulchre's sealed gate!
Her love is dead,
Bound hand and foot in its narrow bed.
