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Dost thou remember how I sprang to thee, Forgetful of thy timid, maiden fear, And clasped thee to my heart in ecstasy. Even as I fold thee now, beloved one, here;
"And the low, hurried, agitated tone With which I strove to soothe thy pale affright—And told thee my strange love—called thee my own— And kissed that brow, so holy, sweet, and white; And how the color came again more bright. And deepened on thy beautiful young cheek—And to thine eye a timid wondering light. That spoke more sweetly than thy lips could speak?
"O how I bless thee! how I reverence The pure and perfect trust of thy young mind—The guileless, unsuspecting innocence Which sought not in my love deceit to find!Look up, Adel! that I may read the eyes Which timidly beneath those lashes hide—The deep, deep love which in their glances lies Will tell its trembling tale, my gentle bride."
If ye of doubting faith and sneering lips Could have been there that instant—could have seenThat momentary glance, so brimming o'er With all the unspeakable truthfulness And love of two young, holy hearts—both pure,Both high, both rich in the soul's eloquence—Your scorn would have been lost in sweet surprise, And your cold sophistry been hushed by joy To find love was a thing so beautiful!
That fair young creature with the dewy eyes,Laid her small hand upon his lofty browCaressingly, and said:
