Beads from a Rosary :: :: University of Virginia Library

Give me the love that you gave me of yore,
And the songs that you sigh for shall greet you once more;
Bind up each link of the beautiful chain,
And Fancy from slumber shall waken again;
Clasp it around a true heart as of old,
And Thought her veiled visions will quickly unfold.
Heed it not—leave it where long it hath lain,
And, dream-bound for ever, Thought, Fancy, remain!

And dream-bound with these, too, Affection must lie,
Hopeless, heart-wearied, no more to reply;
No more to watch o'er thee by night and by day,
To chase, with its presence, all sadness away;

No more o'er thy pathway its sunshine to throw,
And weave its fresh garlands to circle thy brow;
No more to beseech thee, with fast-falling tears,
To remember the promise of happier years.

And must it be so? Must the harp ever be
Mute, that so often hath sounded for thee?
Must the hope I have hidden so deep in my breast
Be driven for aye from its haven of rest?
Nay, give me the love that you gave me of yore,
Let the songs that you sigh for sound gaily once more;
Though the whole world were faithless, thy bosom should be
Still faithful and steadfast, as mine, sweet, to thee!