Songs We Like to Sing
Published 1912
Thomas Moore
Davenan
Which I gaze on so fondly today,
Were to change by tomorrow, and fleet in my arms,
Like fairy gifts fading away,
Thou wouldst still be adored, as this moment thou art,
Let thy loveliness fade as it will,
And a round the dear ruin each wish of my heart
Would entwine itself verdantly still.
It is not while beauty and youth are thine own,
And thy cheeks unprofaned by a tear,
That the fervor and faith of a soul can be known,
To which time will but make thee more dear;
No, the heart that has truly lov'd never forgets,
But as tryly loves on to the close,
As the sunflower turns on her god, when he sets,
The same look which she turned when he rose.
© 1999, Lynn Waterman