54

Where art thou, Dearest?

WHERE art thou, dearest! dost thou wake or slumber?
Do those sweet eyes with smiles or tears overflow?
Does joy elate or grief thy spirit cumber,
Oh! for a fairy'd magic power to know.
Then would I view thee every passing minute,
Then should my shadow all thy steps attend,
Ah! vain such wish, it hath no magic in it,
And but in fancy o'er thy path I bend;
Ah! vain such wish, it hath no magic in it,
And but in fancy o'er thy path I bend.

Would I were with thee! every hour we're parted
Leaves like a dreary void in time to me,
And like a dove that mounteth broken hearted,
I sigh through hours that are not shared with thee.
Thou art the star that shedd'st its influence over me,
Guiding and cheering still my dreary way.
And when life's path looks cold and dark before me,
Thy smile can light it into perfect day,
And when life's path looks cold and dark before me,
Thy smile can light it into perfect day.