WATER LILIES.
109
The twilight deepened as we neared, The shore's broad waves of green,"Oh! love," I whispered, "if the world," A lake of silver sheen—Were, sailed by this frail boat of mine, And thou and I within,Say, would'st thou sail with me, my love, Beyond the Present's dream?Would'st dare the Future's changing shores, And Life's uncertain stream?
She drew the lilies from her hair, And wove them in a crown,"Oh! gems are they of beauty rare, But soon the morrow's sun,Will steal their sweetness and their bloom, And fade them every one."
"Oh! darling," cried I, "to mine own, Thine eyes responsive glow,Shall beam as bright for me e'en when, Thy locks are streaked with snow.Thy cheek its beauty's bloom may lose, To other eyes, not mine,For Love survives the long decay, Of centuries sublime."
