Ring-doves, nestling side by side, In the pleasant eventide, Where the woodbines interlace Many a bough in their embrace; Where the evening shadows fall With a tender grace o'er all; Once, like you, I had a mate; Once I was not desolate!
In her dark and changeful eyes, Looked a spirit from the skies, Radiating o'er her face With a soft expressive grace, Lighting every lineament With a beauty heaven-sent, Which although its sun has set, Brightens all my being yet.
In the quiet eventide, Often sat we side by side, Singing many golden rhymes, Of the far-off olden times; And, from happy musings caught, Uttering many a pleasant thought, That, with an enchanting power, Sweetens still the passing hour.
Ah! to us the earth was bright, With a golden flush of light; And the skies were very fair, And the flowers exceeding rare. All the world was bright without, Scowled within no shade of doubt Heaven we saw with mortal eyes, Earth to us was paradise!
How I miss her when the light Brings no gladness to my sight; When the calm and stilly eve Sees me sit alone and grieve! When the world, unkind in part, Cast its shadows on my heart; Miss her in the midnight lone, With her dear arm round me thrown!
Ring-doves, nestling side by side, In the pleasant eventide, Yet a little time and ye Shall no longer slug to me; Yet a little while, and I Shall go angel-plumed on high; There to meet my spirit's mate, And no more be desolate.
