A Valentine

Fear not that I shall tell the world,O lady mine, how sweet thou art,Fear not that others so shall gainThe secret of my heart;For though my lips should carol praiseFrom night till morn, from morn till eve,Thy loveliness, O lady mine,Who had not known could not believe!

To praise the rose is not to paintIts perfume, in the air afloat;No words can voice the violet,Or trill the throstle's note;Nor may I fondly hope in songThy mystic graces to impart,—Who hath not known thee, lady mine,Will never dream how sweet thou art!