To Ama

Thou canst not, when the night's own beam
Is trembling o'er the summer stream
Bid its charm'd ray be ever fair,
And shine in fadeless beauty there.

And when the rippling sea's at rest
And sunlight slumbers on its breast,
Thou canst not make its shining stay,
Nor bind with love one western ray.

But thou canst woo the star of truth
To beam upon thy gentle youth,
And that will shine, and that will stay,
Though love and gladness fleet away.