Poems (E. L. F.)/What shall we love?

by E. L. F.

WHAT SHALL WE LOVE?

 Shall we love the fairy flower,
  That blushes in the breeze?
 Shall we love the shades that lower,
  O'er the dim and twilight trees!
 Shall we love the lonely bower,
  In the distant woodland scene?
 Shall we love the mouldering tower—
  Sad wreck of what hath been?
Oh! no; love not the things that perish,
Such fading phantoms, who would cherish?

 Shall we love affection's light,
  As it sparkles o'er our way?
 Shall we trust in friendship's might,
  With its heart-enduring sway?
 Shall we love the deep midnight,
  Its silence-breathing calm,
 Its myriad stars so bright,
  In the dew of evening balm?
Ah! no; the heart's affections range,
As midnight scenes for ever change.

 Shall we love the form of grace?
  Shall we love the deep, dark eye,
 As the smile of love we trace,
  Like a sunbeam hovering nigh?
 Shall we love the fair, sweet face,
  Once so fondly gazed upon?
 Shall we weep the shortened race
  Of so bright—so dear a one!
Oh! love not the things that fade away,
Nor weep for blossoms of decay.

 If thou lov'st those things of bliss,
  In the sunshine of thy heart,
 Let thy soul remember this—
  They must, they will depart.

 If thou lov'st the things of earth,
  Let o'er thy memory play—
 Shall I deem this idol worth,
  In a far and future day?
But if thy conscience echo, Never,
Then love not things that change for ever.