Classic Poem

What if I think of you once in a while,
With a little blush and a little smile;
With a little blush that comes and goes
As the sweet, sweet wind of memory blows?

What if I picture now with care
A têtè-à-tête and an easy-chair?
What if I make the picture clear,
By lighting it up with a chandelier?

Can you see by the softly shimmering flame,—
Can you see to read the musical name
Of him who sits in graceful state
On the little damask tête-à-tête?

Can you see me sitting before him there,
Sitting within the easy-chair?
Can you hear the laugh, can you hear the jest,
The musical laugh of my handsome guest?

Is it unwise to paint the view
In colors so warm,—and light it too?
Will somebody claim the graceful state
On the little damask tête-à-tête?

How many may lose by claiming that!
For many a handsome guest has sat
Beneath the shimmering chandelier,
While the easy-chair was standing near.

How many may lose, how many may win!
Ah, vanity is a costly sin!
For the one I mean will never suppose
That for him the wind of memory blows.

Then what if I think of you once in a while,
With a little blush and a little smile;
With a little blush that comes and goes
As the sweet, sweet wind of memory blows!