Believe me, if all those endearing young charms,
Which I gaze on so fondly today
Were to change by tomorrow,
And fleet in my arms
Like fairy gifts fading away,
Thou wouldst still be adored,
As this moment thou art,
Let thy lovliness fade as it will;
And around the dear ruin each wish of my heart
Would entwine itself verdantly still!
It is not while beauty and youth are thine own
And thy cheeks unprofaned by a tear
That the fervour and faith of a soul can be known
To which time will but make thee more dear
No the heart which has truly loved never forgets
But as truly loves on to the close
As the sunflower turns on her guard when he sets
The same look which she turned when he rose!