Page:Poems Baldwin.djvu/162

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154
poems.
Untaught by flattery, unsustain'd by bliss,
Breath'd to the spirits' ear,—her tale was this:—
  I cannot think the love of years;
  The hope unquench'd by many tears,
  Which Time's dark wing has ne'er obscur'd,
  Nor other love one day allur'd;
  Nor absence taught to e'er resign,
  Nor all that sorrow could combine;
  Nor doubt, nor coldness, could estrange,
  Nor pride could mar, or break, or change;
  I cannot think such love will rest
  A sunless stream in this true breast;
  Some power of the mind discerns
  The fragrance in true friendship's urns:
  And thou must know that none to thee
  Return so true, unchang'd, as me.
  The gentle whisper ne'er departs,
  Repeating Time shall join our hearts;
  And I to all may proudly prove
  The truth of chaste and changeless love.


LINES.
From cruel scorn protect me, Lord,
And give me wisdom, grace, and power;
Oh let me not offend in word,
But live to praise thee every hour.