Nature School at the Water's Edge

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 ador'd 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 cheeks unprofan'd by a tear,    
That the fervour and faith of a soul can be known,
To which time will but make thee more dear!

Oh! the heart, that has truly lov'd, never forgets, 
  But as truly loves on to the close;
As the sun-flower turns on her god, when he sets, 
  The same look which she turn'd when he rose!

~Thomas Moore