Tell me, was it within the scope
Of the far-prescient eye of hope,
To promise, in an hour unknown,
A ray of heaven, like that which shone
Full on thy breast, with sudden flame,
When Rufford's beam of beauty came?
No! 'twas the bliss (the fount of bliss,
Tinging all other joys with this)
Of hearts, that through long years have grown
Warm for each other, though unknown;
Without one dream, yet many a sigh
For that which drew in secret nigh;
Till, in an instant glance, has shone
The flash that melts two hearts to one:
To sever, when shall cease to be
God's mystic throne, eternity!
Oh, 'twas an hour of that blest cast,
When, though ne'er seen till felt when past,
For ever stands the radiant pole
Of each beloved magnetic soul!
That hour has left for thee a light
That fears no power of storm or night,
Distance may grieve, or years entwine
The bonds of absence, but to thine
Shall ever turn that light of love
On earth; or if in worlds above,
Down shall its gladdening beams be sent,
To guide thee by the way it went.