Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1900.djvu/710

 THOMAS LOVE PEACOCK

1785-1866

593. Love and Age

I play'd with you 'mid cowslips blowing, When I was six and you were four; When garlands weaving, flower-balls throwing, Were pleasures soon to please no more. Through groves and meads, o'er grass and heather, With little playmates, to and fro, We wander'd hand in hand together; But that was sixty years ago.

You grew a lovely roseate maiden, And still our early love was strong; Still with no care our days were laden, They glided joyously along; And I did love you very dearly, How dearly words want power to show, I thought your heart was touch'd as nearly; But that was fifty years ago.

Then other lovers came around you, Your beauty grew from year to year, And many a splendid circle found you The centre of its glittering sphere. I saw you then, first vows forsaking, On rank and wealth your hand bestow; O, then I thought my heart was breaking!— But that was forty years ago.

And I lived on, to wed another: No cause she gave me to repine;