Page:Sentimental valentine writer.pdf/22

22 Where the gay moments that I once have known

O where the heart I fondly thought my own!

I scorn the beauties other eyes adore;

The more I view them, I feel thy worth the more

Unmov’d I hear them speak, or see them fair—

I only think of thee, who art not there.

When from thy sight I waste a tedious day,

A thousand schemes I form, or things to say;

But when thy presence gives the time I seek,

My heart’s so full—I wish—but cannot speak.

A heart there is, which I would woo—

That heart belongs, dear maid, to you;

Full long I’ve chas’d it, with regret,

For I have never caught it yet;

But by this Valentine, ’tis plain,

That heart I now pursue again;

May I by no repulse be crost,

For if I lose it, I am lost.

Could you persuade the constant dove

To leave his mate, inconstant prove,

And lonely through the woodlands rove,

I might deceive the maid I love;

But ne’er till then will I agree

To quit my love, to part with thee.

Love thee! yes, dear lovely maid,

Thee I’ll love, and only thee;

And, whatever cares invade,

Happy in tbythy [sic] love of me.

Love thee! yes, with love replete

Still for thee my heart shall glow,

Till my pulse forgets to beat,

Or the streams of life to flow.