Six Songs

I love thee -- I love thee!
  'Tis all that I can say;--
It is my vision in the night,
  My dreaming in the day;
The very echo of my heart,
  The blessing when I pray:
I love thee -- I love thee!
  Is all that I can say.

I love thee -- I love thee!
  Is ever on my tongue;
In all my proudest poesy
  That chorus still is sung;
It is the verdict of my eyes,
  Amidst the gay and young:
I love thee -- I love thee!
  A thousand maids among.

I love thee -- I love thee!
  Thy bright hazel glance,
The mellow lute upon those lips,
  Whose tender tones entrance;
But most, dear heart of hearts, thy proofs
  That still these words enhance,
I love thee -- I love thee!
  Whatever be thy chance.

Come when the nights are bright with stars
  Or when the moon is mellow;
Come when the sun his golden bars
  Drops on the hay-field yellow.
Come in the twilight soft and gray,
Come in the night or come in the day,
Come, O love, whene'er you may,
  And you are welcome, welcome.

You are sweet, O Love, dear Love,
You are soft as the nesting dove.
Come to my heart and bring it rest
As the bird flies home to its welcome nest.

Come when my heart is full of grief
  Or when my heart is merry;
Come with the falling of the leaf
  Or with the redd'ning cherry.
Come when the year's first blossom blows,
Come when the summer gleams and glows,
Come with the winter's drifting snows,
  And you are welcome, welcome.

I

Beyond the years the answer lies,
Beyond where brood the grieving skies
    And Night drops tears.
Where Faith rod-chastened smiles to rise
    And doff its fears,
And carping Sorrow pines and dies -- 
    Beyond the years.


II

Beyond the years the prayer for rest
Shall beat no more within the breast;
    The darkness clears,
And Morn perched on the mountain's crest
    Her form uprears -- 
The day that is to come is best,
    Beyond the years.


III

Beyond the years the soul shall find
That endless peace for which it pined,
    For light appears,
And to the eyes that still were blind
    With blood and tears,
Their sight shall come all unconfined
    Beyond the years.