 | Hours at Naples, and Other Poems |  |
WHEN HEARTS THAT LOVED.
When Hearts that loved when smiles were bright,In seasons gay of young delight,
Forgot to love—and careless grow
In times of trial and of woe;
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Perchance thou mayest be taught to prize
A pure and steadfast love like mine,
That ne'er shall faulter nor decline!
But if even then thou wilt refuse
The love for which my fond heart sues,
With others pass thy changeful hours,
Or choaked with thorns—or crowned with flowers,
For others smile—for others sigh—
With others live—with others die;
And oh! be this wild prayer forgiven,
Be mine—be mine thy Love in Heaven!
Then shalt thou know what Love can be—
A starry Immortality—
A sainted feeling all divine—
Thy Love in Heaven shall still be mine!
| Hours at Naples, and Other Poems | |