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VALENTINE'S DAY.
What promise in the beckoning day, What mystery in alluring night!Oh, up what depths of violet darkThe crystal stars leaned forth to mark How forests felt the ice-sheathed flight Of rivers rushing to the light!
O love! thy soul was like the earth Wrapped so serenely in its snows;And by and by such searching sun, And by and by such south wind blows!From dreams divine in odorous cellsWaken at length the wild flower bells; The sacred haunts their wealth disclose, And widely blooms the perfect rose!
Clear eyes that opened on the world, Your dusky wells received what cheer?How couldst thou twice the twelvemonth live Before my soul was kindled, dear?Where was I, darling, in those days,—Those tender twice-returning days,— When eagerly thou met'st the year, When life was glad and I not here?
