Classic Poem

a song inscribed to a picture .

Fair , ay, good sooth, 'tis fair,
Fair as the dawn, fair as the blushing rose,
Whose heart the amorous air
Hath wooed each fragrant treasure to disclose;
Fair — ay, forsooth, 'tis fair.

Fair, ay, good sooth, 'tis fair,
Fair like a vision of the month of June,
When life mocks at despair,
When each long respiration is Love's boon;
Fair — ay, good sooth, 'tis fair.

And did those eyes look, longing, into mine,
With love's deep glow, ye ken; —
And did those arms, with love, around me twine;
What care could vex me then?

And did those lips seek lovingly my own,
And did that bosom sigh
For love of me — what king upon his throne
Were half so blest as I?

Fair, fair, and only fair!
Alas! what moving mockery hath art!
The soul seems breathing there;
But in that breast there is no throbbing heart.
Fair — ay, and only fair.