THE world had just begun to steal Each hope, that led me lightly on, I felt not as I used to feel, And life grew dark and love was gone! No eye to mingle sorrow's tear, No lip to mingle pleasure's breath, No tongue to call me kind and dear -- 'Twas gloomy, and I wish'd for death! But when I saw that gentle eye, Oh! something seem'd to tell me then, That I was yet too young to die, And hope and bliss might bloom again! With every beamy smile that cross'd Your kindling cheek, you lighted home Some feeling which my heart had lost, And peace, which long had learn'd to roam! 'Twas then indeed so sweet to live, Hope look'd so new and Love so kind, That, though I weep, I still forgive The ruin which they've left behind! I could have loved you -- oh, so well! -- The dream, that wishing boyhood knows, Is but a bright beguiling spell, Which only lives while passion glows: But, when this early flush declines, When the heart's vivid morning fleets, You know not then how close it twines Round the first kindred soul it meets! Yes, yes, I could have loved, as one Who, while his youth's enchantments fall, Finds something dear to rest upon, Which pays him for the loss of all! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA by ROBERT SEYMOUR BRIDGES LORD ULLIN'S DAUGHTER by THOMAS CAMPBELL LINCOLN by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR TO MY NINETH DECADE by WALTER SAVAGE LANDOR OUR HERITAGE by ISIDORE G. ASCHER |