A Life's Love

How do I love to sit and dream

Of that sweet passion, when I meet

The lady I must love for life!

The very thought makes my Soul beat

Its wings, as though it saw that light

Silver the rims of my black night,

I see her bring a crimson mouth

To open at a kiss, and close;

I see her bring her two fair cheeks,

That I may paint on each a rose;

I see her two hands, like doves white,

Fly into mine and hide from sight.

In fancy hear her soft, sweet voice;

My eager Soul, to catch her words,

Waits at the ear, with Noah’s haste

To take God's message-bearing birds;

What passion she will in me move—

The Lady I for life must love!