Page:Poems of Sentiment and Imagination.djvu/152

148 Alver. It ever hath been first in my heart's love;

But I have learned of thee a deeper love,

A higher, holier, and more sacred flame

Than burns upon the altar of ambition.

Azlea! thou art a wondrous being—

And I know not whether I dare to love thee;

But it is virtue to acknowledge this—

That thou hast held an influence o'er my spirit,

Which it will take a lifetime to forget.

Thy care, thy gentleness, thy voice of song,

And more than all, thy childlike innocence

Of every impure sentiment or thought,

Hath won the deep devotion of a heart

That yet scarce dares to tell thee of its love;

Nor would I venture to so bold a thought,

As that I have inspired within thy breast

A single feeling tenderer than thou

Wouldst have bestowed on any hapless stranger

A pitying Heaven threw under thy sweet care.

To-morrow's sun will shine on my farewell

To my dear, temporary home and thee;

And I have naught to offer thee, in lieu

Of what would be to some, more just reward

Save warmest gratitude, and warmest love.

And thou wilt not reject it?

Azlea. There can not be reward more canceling

To every debt of kindness, than is this

You offer—earnest gratitude; but love

Is for a higher purpose. I can not

Accept for guerdon, what the deathless spirit

Hath for its immortal dower. You mistake;

And are yet ignorant of real love.

Alver. Since you have spoken thus, I am compelled

To vindicate my sentiments by words

Stronger than I had purposed. If to say

Never shall I forget thee—never more