Poems (Jones)/Do we love as we loved long ago?

by Amanda Theodosia Jones

DO WE LOVE AS WE LOVED LONG AGO?

I.
T was once, long ago, on the dawn-lighted river,
 Our fairy canoe rode like foam down the tide;
White lilies afloat with the ripples did quiver,
 But fairer than they was the girl at my side.
  Now dost thou remember—ah dost thou remember
   The garland I wove for that forehead of snow?
  Forget the dead leaves of Life's frosty December,
   And say, do we love as we loved long ago?

II.
The robin with song the glad morning was greeting;
 No mist rolled above the young sun to eclipse;
"I love thee, I love thee," my heart kept repeating,
 Till Love throbbed its way from my heart to my lips.
  Now dost thou remember—ah dost thou remember
   The blushes that mantled that forehead of snow?
  Forget the dark days of our frosty December,
   And say, do we love as we loved long ago?

III.
Oh loud trilled the robin! oh bright was the river!
 The white lilies danced on its ripples in glee:
'Neath thy low-drooping lids though the teardrops did quiver,
 A smile, like the sunrise, flashed answer to me.
  Now dost thou remember—ah dost thou remember
   The kisses that fell on that forehead of snow?
  Forget the cold winds of our frosty December,
   And say, do we love as we loved long ago?

IV.
'T was long, long ago: all the sunbeams are dying;
 Our roses have lost their red leaves in the blast.
But still thy sweet smile to my heart is replying,
 "We love as we loved in the days that are past."
  Thou still dost remember—yes, proudly remember
   The veil of the bride on that forehead of snow!
  'T will crown thee where Life has no frosty December:
   We always shall love as we loved long ago!