Classic Poem

How can a soul of sinless ray,
Now breathing love, incline to stray,
Or need to be forgiven?
O Innocence, with laughing eyes!
Thou art a cherub from the skies,
A wanderer from heaven.

Ha! gentle spirit, gift divine,
There's nectar on those lips of thine,
And sweet the kiss I've won:
There dwells no dew on proffered lip,
That's pure, like that on thine, to sip, —
On loveliest woman's, — none.

With heart sincere, while it shall beat,
May violets spring beneath thy feet,
And roses crown thy youth;
And, when to womanhood attained,
Still may thy graces be unfeigned,
Thy friendship, love, and truth!