DEARER THAN LIFE THOU ART.
I
Dearer than life thou art, can I say more?
True, I have told thee so often before;
But of thy apathy still I complain,
Therefore, I tell it thee over again:
Thou wert my hope, 'mid the perils of war,
Dearer than life thou art, dearer by far!
II
Some may have eloquent lips I confess,
Accents more studied their feelings express;
But not a lover before thee has knelt,
Feeling one half of the love I have felt.
Dear thou art still, though my bliss thou may'st mar,
Dearer than life, thou art dearer by far!
III
If thou art won by gay lovers like these,
Still thou shalt find me endeavour to please;
Woo thee in accents as proud as their own,
Tell thee, thy graces would honour a throne;
Call thee my rose-bud, my diamond, my star;
Dearer than life thou art, dearer by far!
