Song

I love my lady's eyesAbove the beauties rareShe most is wont to prize,Above her sunny hair,And all that face to faceHer glass repeats of grace.

For those are still the sameTo her and all that see:But oh! her eyes will flameWhen they do look on me:And so above the restI love her eyes the best.

Now say, [Say, O say! saith the music] who likes my song?--I knew you by your eyes,That rest on nothing long,And have forgot surprise;And stray [Stray, O stray! saith the music] as mine will stray,The while my love's away.

Since thou, O fondest and truest,Hast loved me best and longest,And now with trust the strongestThe joy of my heart renewest;

Since thou art dearer and dearerWhile other hearts grow colderAnd ever, as love is older,More lovingly drawest nearer:

Since now I see in the measureOf all my giving and taking,Thou wert my hand in the making,The sense and soul of my pleasure;

The good I have ne'er repaid theeIn heaven I pray be recorded,And all thy love rewardedBy God, thy master that made thee.

The evening darkens overAfter a day so brightThe windcapt waves discoverThat wild will be the night.There's sound of distant thunder.

The latest sea-birds hoverAlong the cliff's sheer height;As in the memory wanderLast flutterings of delight,White wings lost on the white.

There's not a ship in sight;And as the sun goes underThick clouds conspire to coverThe moon that should rise yonder.Thou art alone, fond lover.

O youth whose hope is high,Who dost to Truth aspire,Whether thou live or die,O look not back nor tire.

Thou that art bold to flyThrough tempest, flood and fire,Nor dost not shrink to tryThy heart in torments dire:

If thou canst Death defy,If thy Faith is entire,Press onward, for thine eyeShall see thy heart's desire.

Beauty and love are nigh,And with their deathless quireSoon shall thine eager cryBe numbered and expire.