Classic Poem

The flower for but one night of rapture born
Said to the night: “New flowers and nights will be,
But I shall never look again on thee;
Meet now my flower-gaze fully, without scorn.
To-morrow night thou wilt not be forlorn,
For flowers and stars to all eternity
Within thy fragrant wide arms thou shalt see:—
New loves will rise, as each from thee is torn.

“But this one hour I hold thee, sacred night.”—
As said the flower, I murmur, love, to thee.
This once thy dark eyes and dark hair I see,
And with unknown unfathomable delight
Watch the slow fragrant soft hours wing their flight,—
While each hour's pulse involves eternity.