Paul Hamilton Hayne (1830–1886)

O FAITHFUL heart! on balmy nights like this,

I long to tell thee all the love I bear,—

My sacred love! that knows not doubt, or fear,

Fixéd in golden round of married bliss;

The rapture of our first betrothal kiss

Thrills through me now, as warmly fond and dear

As when with eager soul I bent to hear

Thou didst not deem my tremulous vows amiss.

TIME cannot chill a love so true as ours,

But rather, like a spiritual SUN, matures

Affection’s bloom, and brightens all its flowers;

Thus, that which charmed in youth our manhood lures,

For passion wins from age its noblest powers,

And love ’s evolved from love, whilst love endures.