ASK NOT IF STILL I LOVE.

Ask not if still I love,

Too plain these eyes have told thee;

Too well their tears must prove

How near and dear I hold thee.

If, where the brightest shine,

To see no form but thine,

To feel that earth can show

No bliss above thee,—

If this be love, then know

That thus, that thus, I love thee.

'Tis not in pleasure's idle hour

That thou can'st know affection's pow'r. No, try its strength in grief or pain;

Attempt, as now, its bonds to sever,

Thou'lt find true love's a chain

That binds for ever!

DEAR? YES,

DEAR? yes, tho' mine no more,
Ev'n this but makes thee dearer;

And love, since hope is o'er,

But draws thee nearer.

Change as thou wilt to me,
The same thy charm must be;
New loves may come to weave
Their witchery o'er thee,

Yet still, though false, believe

That I adore thee, yes, still adore thee. Think'st thou that aught but death could end

A tie not falsehood's self can rend?

No, when alone, far off I die,

No more to see, no more caress thee,

Ev'n then, my life's last sigh

Shall be to bless thee, yes, still to bless thee.

UNBIND THEE, LOVE.

UNBIND thee, love, unbind thee, love, From those dark ties unbind thee; Though fairest hand the chain hath wove, Too long its links have twined thee. Away from earth!—thy wings were made In yon mid-sky to hover,

With earth beneath their dove-like shade, And heav'n all radiant over.

Awake thee, boy, awake thee, boy,
Too long thy soul is sleeping;

And thou may'st from this minute's joy
Wake to eternal weeping.

Oh, think, this world is not for thee;

Though hard its links to sever ;

Though sweet and bright and dear they be, Break, or thou'rt lost for ever.

Ev'n when, enwrapped in silvery veils *,

Those

sunny

locks elude the sight,

Oh, not ev'n then their glory fails
To haunt me with its unseen light.
Change as thy beauty may,
It charms in every way.

For, thee the Graces still attend,
Presiding o'er each new attire,
And lending every dart they send
Some new, peculiar touch of fire.

Be what thou wilt,- this heart

Adores whate'er thou art!

* Αργενναῖς οθονησι κατηορα βοστρυχα κευθεις.