Believe Me If All Those Endearing Young Charms

Believe me, if all those endearing young charms,

Which I gaze on so fondly today,

Were to change by tomorrow and fleet in my arms,

Like fairy gifts fading away

Thou would'st still be adored, as this moment thou art,

Let thy loveliness fade as it will;

And around the dear ruin each wish of my heart

Would entwine itself verdantly still.

It is not while beauty and youth are thine own,

And thy cheek's unprofaned by a tear,

That the fervor and faith of a soul can be known,

To which time will but make thee more dear.

Oh, the heart that has truly loved never forgets,

But as truly loves on to the close:

As the sunflower turns on her God when he sets

The same look that she gave when he rose.