23
Love's Silent Language.
⟨When⟩ the heart in the bosom is beating,
⟨In⟩ vain we suppress the warm sigh:
⟨Though⟩ the lips no fond truth be repeating,
⟨A⟩ tell-tale is found in the eye.
⟨'Tis⟩ there the heart-language is spoken,
⟨For⟩ words may by falsehood subdue:
⟨The⟩ vows of the lips are oft broken,
⟨The⟩ eye, though ‘tis silent, is true.
⟨Then⟩ give me the glance that expresses,
⟨The⟩ bright beam of joy when we meet,
⟨The⟩ bosom that throbs to caresses,
⟨The⟩ heart that in silence can beat:
⟨For⟩ while I can boast such a treasure,
⟨I⟩ ask no conviction but this,—
⟨The⟩ eye that beams welcome and pleasure,
⟨And⟩ nought of the lips but a kiss.
Have you not seen.
⟨Have⟩ you not seen the timid tear,
⟨Steal⟩ trembling from mine eye?
⟨Have⟩ you not mark'd the flush of fear,
⟨Or⟩ caught the murmur'd sigh?
⟨And⟩ can you think my love is chill,
⟨Nor⟩ fix'd on you alone?
⟨And⟩ can you rend, by doubting still,