Hunt and Lee, comps. The Book of the Sonnet. 1867.
VII. O Faithful heart! on balmy nights like thisPaul Hamilton Hayne (18301886)
O
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.
T
But rather, like a spiritual S
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.