Poems (McDonald)/To ———

by Mary Noel McDonald

For works with similar titles, see To —.

TO ———

We learned to love in life's gay spring,
 When radiant sunshine lit our way;
When Hope, like bird upon the wing,
 Soared up, and on, throughout the day
When earth was bright as earth could be,
And nought might dim our constancy.

And now life's fragrant summer-time
 Upon our path its light hath poured;
But Hope forgets her airy clime,
 Nor soars so high as once she soared:
Yet beat our hearts, as warm, as true,
As when the merry springtide flew.

But shall we love when falling leaves
 The autumn of our lives disclose?
When Time his silver frost-work weaves,
 O'er tress of gold, and cheek of rose?
When eyes grow dim, and sadly say,
How all things fair must pass away?

Shall we love on through wintry hours,
 Our pleasant journey nearly done?
When failing limbs, and weakened powers,
 Proclaim how near our set of sun?
When youth's gay visions all are o'er,
And come to light our steps no more?

Oh! doubt it not—Time cannot chill
 The passion of our youthful hearts,—
A holy flame, 'twill brighten still,
 Its living radiance ne'er departs;
I feel, I know, its power must last
'Till even life itself be past.

Oh! doubt it not—like some fair tide
 That sparkles in the morning light,
Yet keeps its course, as deep, as wide,
 Though dark may prove the coming night,—
So shall the love that blest our prime,
Flow on, through every change of time.