CANST thou forget, beloved, our first awaking
From out the shadowy realm of doubts and dreams,
To know Love's perfect sunlight round us breaking,
Bathing our beings in its gorgeous gleams?
Canst thou forget?

A sky of rose and gold was o'er us glowing,
Around us was the morning breath of May;
Then met our soul-tides, thence together flowing,
Then kissed our thought-waves mingling on their way:
Canst thou forget?

Canst thou forget when first thy loving fingers
Laid gently back the locks upon my brow?
Ah, to my woman's thought that touch still lingers,
And softly glides along my forehead now!
Canst thou forget?

Canst thou forget when every twilight tender,
'Mid dews and sweets, beheld our slow steps rove,
And when the nights, which came in starry splendor,
Seemed dim and pallid to our heaven of love?
Canst thou forget?

Canst thou forget the childlike heart-outpouring
Of her whose faith knew no weak, faltering fears?
The lashes drooped to veil her eyes adoring,
Her speaking silence, and her blissful tears?
Canst thou forget?

Canst thou forget the last most mournful meeting, —
The trembling form clasped to thine anguished breast,
The heart against thine own, now wildly beating,
Now fluttering, faint, grief-wrung, and fear-oppressed?
Canst thou forget?

Canst thou forget, though all Love's spells be broken,
The wild farewell which rent our souls apart?
And that last gift, affection's holiest token,
The severed tress, which lay upon thy heart?
Canst thou forget?

Canst thou forget, beloved one? Comes there never
The angel of sweet visions to thy rest?
Brings she not back the fond hopes fled for ever,
While one lost name thrills through thy sleeping breast?
Canst thou forget?