A Song of Romance: Letitia Elizabeth Landon

“Oh! say not love was never made 
For heart so light as mine; 
Must love then seek the cypress shade, 
Rear but a gloomy shrine. 

Oh! say not, that for me more meet 
The revelry of youth; 
Or that my wild heart cannot beat 
With deep devoted truth. 

Tho’ mirth may many changes ring, 
’Tis but an outward show, 
Even upon the fond dove’s wing 
Will varying colours glow. 

Light smiles upon my lip may gleam 
And sparkle o’er my brow, 
’Tis but the glisten of the stream 
That hides the gold below. 

’Tis love that gilds the mirthful hour, 
That lights the smile for me, 
Those smiles would instant lose their power, 
Did they not glance on thee!”