Classic Poem

I have seen thee in the meadows
At the breaking of the day,
On thy cheeks and o'er thy tresses
Seen the earliest sunbeams play.
In thy face there breathed a rapture
As the voices of the streams
And the lark's gay greeting mingled
With thy half-forgotten dreams.

I have seen thee at the casement
When the sun was near his rest,
All thy gentle spirit yearning
For the glories of the west;
And thy smile was half of sorrow
As the scented breezes sighed
From the beds of closing flowers
And upon thy bosom died.

I have seen thee 'neath the heavens
In the light of moon and star
When the night-bird's passion trembled
On the cool, still air afar;
Then forgotten hours of sadness
At the source of tears were rife,
And thy dark eyes glistened deeper
Than the mystery of life.

Thou art far, far from me, dearest,
Yet I see thee as of old
At the dawning, at the sunset,
When the moon is shining cold;
But I long to clasp thee; hasten,
Let me know thee here in sooth
And my idle dreamings blossom
Into full-blown flowers of truth.