Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry.
Volume II. Love. 1904. | | | | VII. Love’s Power | | “Believe me, if all those endearing young charms” | | Thomas Moore (1779–1852) |
| | | BELIEVE me, if all those endearing young charms, | |
| Which I gaze on so fondly to-day, | |
| Were to change by to-morrow, and fleet in my arms, | |
| Like fairy-gifts fading away, | |
| Thou wouldst still be adored, as this moment thou art, | 5 |
| Let thy loveliness fade as it will, | |
| And around the dear ruin each wish of my heart | |
| Would entwine itself verdantly still. | |
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| It is not while beauty and youth are thine own, | |
| And thy cheeks unprofaned by a tear, | 10 |
| That the fervor and faith of a soul may be known, | |
| To which time will but make thee more dear! | |
| No, the heart that has truly loved never forgets, | |
| But as truly loves on to the close, | |
| As the sunflower turns to her god when she sets | 15 |
| The same look which she turned when he rose! | | | | |
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