Poems (McDonald)/Constancy
For works with similar titles, see Constancy.
CONSTANCY.
It is like love—Oh! love should be An ever changing thing: The love that I could worship, must Be ever on the wing. l.e.l.
Not so for me—I could not brook A love that changed with every wind: A colder tone, a calmer look, A passion less refined; Though deep might flow the blessed tide, I would not that its waves aside Should turn a moment, though I knew Again they'd seek the channel true.
I could not bear an altered eye, I could not list a careless lay—A thoughtless tone, whose vague reply Told the heart far away: I would not other lips should praise,—I would not other eyes should gaze,— If one, and only one alone, Felt the deep love that matched my own.
I would be prized all else above, Valued as some peculiar star; Worshipped, as if no other gem Lit the blue arch afar. Mine, the heart's deep devotion be, Unchanging, half idolatry; The polar beam, whose light divine Nor sets, nor fades,—such love be mine.
1839.