Say, what is Love?—a bubble
On life's dull current fleeting,
A thousand hues and visions bright
On its frail surface meeting;
It breaks, and where that vision fair?
Ocean's dark depth may answer, Where?
Say what is Love?—'tis light
On life's dark billows thrown;
Oh, glorious the first glance
That on those waters shone!
'Tis gone,—those waves, illum'd no more,
Roll darkly on life's desert shore.
Say what is Love?—a glimpse,
Life's stormy clouds between,
Of that bright heaven, where all
Is cloudless and serene;
A look, ere night and darkness come,
Beyond the terrors of the tomb!
Come all whose blighted bosom,
Love's cruel pangs deceive,
Say what shall be the garland
For lovers' brows to weave?
A lone leaf on a blasted tree,
This, this Love's coronal shall be!