Love's Charming

Maid of fifteen, in childlike beauty dight,
Fair head with crinkled ringlets golden-tressed,
Rose-petalled forehead, cheeks like amethyst,
Laughter that lifts the soul to Heaven's delight;

And neck like snow, and throat than milk more white,
And heart full-blossomed neath a budding breast —
Beauty divine in human form expressed,
And virtue worthy of that beauty bright —

An eye whose light can change the night to day,
A gentle hand that smooths away my care,
Yet holds my life caught in its fingers' snare;

Withal a voice that's ever fain to sing,
Still stopped by smiles, or sweet sighs languishing —
These are the spells that charmed my wits away.