We parted, lady! all night long 
Thine ear to thrill with dance and song ; 
And I to weep, that I was horn 
A thing thou scarce would deign to scorn. 
And, lady, now that years have past, 
My barque has reached the shore at last; 
The gales that filled her ocean wing 
Have chilled and shrunk thy hasty spring; 
And eye to eye, and brow to brow, 
I stand before thy presence now; 
Thy lip is smoothed, thy voice is sweet, 
Thy warm hand proffered when we meet. 
Nay, lady ! ’t is not now for me 
To droop the lid, or bend the knee ; 
I seek thee, oh! thou dost not shun, 
I speak—thou listenest like a nun; 
I ask thy smile — thy lip uncurls, 
Too liberal of its flashing pearls : 
Thy tears — thy lashes sink again, 
My Hebe turns to Magdalen ! 
Oh, changing youth! that evening hour 
Looked down on ours, the bud, the flower j 
One faded in its virgin soil, 
And one was nursed in tears and toil; 
Thy leaves were opening one by one, 
While mine were opening to the sun; 
