He Loved Her for Her Merry Eye

He loved her for her merry eye,
That, like the vesper star,
In evening's blue and deepening sky,
Shed light and joy afar!

He loved her for her golden hair,
That o'er her shoulders hung;
He loved her for her happy voice,
The music of her tongue.

He loved her for her airy form
Of animated grace;
He loved her for the light of soul,
That brighten'd in her face.

He loved her for her simple heart,
A shrine of gentle things;
He loved her for her sunny hopes,
Her gay imaginings.

But not for him that bosom beat,
Or glanced that merry eye,
Beneath whose diamond light he felt
It would be heaven to die.

He never told her of his love,
He breathed no prayer--no vow;
But sat in silence by her side,
And gazed upon her brow.

And when, at length, she pass'd away,
Another's smiling bride,
He made his home 'mid ocean's waves--
He died upon its tide.