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66
TASSO TO LEONORA.
“That she was aware of his sentiments, and that a mysterious intelligence existed between them, is apparent from the meaning and tendency of innumerable passages scattered through his minor poems—too significant in their application to be mistaken.”—
Mrs. Jameson's Loves of the Poets.If to love solitude because my heart
May undisturbed upon thy image dwell,
And in the world to bear a cheerful part
To hide the fond thoughts that its pulses swell;
If to recall with credulous delight
Affection's faintest semblance in thee,
To feel thy breath upon my cheek at night,
And start in anguish that it may not be;
If in thy presence ceaselessly to know
Delicious peace, a feeling as of wings,
Content divine within my bosom glow,
A noble scorn of all unworthy things,—
The quiet bliss that fills one's natal air,
When once again it fans the wanderer's brow,
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The wish to be forever such as now;
If in thy absence still to feel thee nigh,
Or with impatient longings waste the day,
If to be haunted by thy love-lit eye,
If for thy good devotedly to pray;
And chiefly sorrow that but half revealed
Can be the tenderness that in me lies,
That holiest pleasure must be all concealed—
Shrinking from heartless scoff or base surmise;
If, as my being's crowning grace, to bless
The hour we recognized each other's truth,
And with calm joy unto my soul confess
That thou hast realized the dreams of youth,—
My spirit's mate, long cherished, though unknown,
Friend of my heart bestowed on me by God,
At whose approach all visions else have flown
From the vain path which I so long have trod;
If from thy sweet caress to bear new life
As one possessed by a celestial spell,
That armeth me against all outward strife,
And ever breathes the watchward—all is well;
If with glad firmness, casting doubt aside,
To bare my heart to thee without disguise,
And yield it up as to my chosen bride,
Feeling that life vouchsafes no dearer prize;
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By mutual consecration, watching o'er
The hallowed bond with loyalty divine—
If this be love,—I love forevermore!
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