To—
With a Seal bearing the Inscription
“CON TE SONO.”
1
We came—we met—we looked—we parted;
To one, at least, with some regret,
And both perhaps were heavier-hearted,
Than if our eyes had never met.
Then, Lady! let the seal I send
Sometimes revive a thought of me,
It speaks the feeling of a friend,
“Though absent, I am still with thee.”
2
Years pass, and with them sweep along
The forms we love, the loves we feel,
And absence deals oblivious wrong,
And friendship mourns declining zeal.
O, then how sweet the heart to find
Which spite of veering time's decree,
In the fixt fondness of the mind,
Declares—“indeed I'm still with thee.”
3
The sweetest leaf, the sunniest flower,
Must bear the rude winds of the year;
So fondest hearts in angry hour,
May oft be thought most insincere.
But well may dark mistrust rejoice
When blighted seems its cherished tree,
To hear from far this still small voice,
Ia'm still with thee, I'm still with thee.”
4
I nurse the vain, but grateful thought,
That thy remembered hand shall press,
In fondest hours, what mine has wrought—
Spell of appealing tenderness.
To claim myself, of many such,
But one—I know can never be;
Yet, when this sigil feels thy touch,
Remember, “I am then with thee.”
5
In hope, regret, joy, doubt, surprize,—
Whate'er thou feel'st, or think'st, or grievest,
Thy smile of lips, thy light of eyes,
The tears thou shed'st, the praise thou givest;
Of all fond friendship sends away,
Shall this the happy witness be,
And ever say, or seem to say,
In all, through all, “I'm still with thee.”
6
Whilst I—recal (if once forgot)
The whiteness of thy soul and brow,
And feel there's sweetness in my lot,
To think on such an one as thou:
But Memory's calm reflecting ray
Can never, never darkened be;
For still in soul though far away,
“I am with thee, I am with thee!”
