Starlight

I reinember making a wondroue vow AVhen I was younger thau I am now, And perhaps uot over-wisc, And I prayed if ever my truth should fail, That the shining stars of heaveu might palé, Aud the moon dcscrt the skies. And an ans wering vow vas givon to me Fnnn llps whopo crimson was fair to see, Aa wild and as strong a vow ; Ah ! Lily, you were (1 my angel " thon, And I was to you " above all men ;'' How is it witli you now ? "What a nioonlefs sky, what starless niglits ■Vould (larden o'er poor beclouded wighte, Shoiiid the moon and Htars obey, "Wlipnever young lovers, one or both, Forget a promise, or break an oath, Or far from their duty stray ! And what sad changos a few yenrs bring ! The peerlesfi angel of whoin I sing Ts an angel to me no more, But a red-cheeked, hoalthy, ampie dame, In another honre, witli anothcr name, And the dreums of hdr youth are o'er. And T - did I bcar a Meeding heart, Fieroed aud wounded by Love'a keett dart, Asiovrrn in froefceaJldo? Alas ! f or the earnoBtness of youth ! Alas! for mau's cocstnncy and truth! My dream was firgotten. too; And the moon shines on, as it ueed to shine When I made those broken vows oï mine, And the starry Kky above Changos not ; bnt to me time brought Strength of purposc and earuest thought, And a more enduring lovc ; A love that brightened my none and heart, That eeexned of my very life a part ; And when I was doomcd to see My heart's rose wither from day to day, I knew that not oven death could stay The flow of her love for me. And now I think, when the silvery light Of stars shines out on the calm midnigut, Not of the vow I gave, Not of the dreams of carly years ; But I think how holy the light appears As it faUe upon her grave.