A Song of Happy Love

The Bird that nestles nearest earth,
To Heaven's gate nighest sings;
And loving thee, my lowly life
Doth mount on Lark- like wings!
Thine eyes are starry promises:
And affluent above
All measure in its blessing, is
The largess of thy love.

Merry as laughter 'mong the hills,
Spring dances at my heart!
And at my wooing, Nature's soul
Into her face will start!
The Queen-moon, in her starry bower,
Looks happier for our love;
A dewier splendour fills the flower,
And mellower coos the Dove.

My heart may sometimes blind mine eyes
With utterance of tears,
But feels no pang for thee, Belov'd!
But all the more endears:
And if life comes with cross and care
Unknown in years of yore,
I know thou'lt half the burthen bear,
And I am strong once more.

All! now I see my life was shorn,
That, like the forest-brook
When leaves are shed, my darkling soul
Up in heaven's face might look!
And blessings on the storm that gave
Me haven on thy breast,
Where life hath climax like a wave
That breaks in perfect rest.