ETERNAL YOUTH

Looking in thine eyes of azure,

Looking on thy hair of gold,

Once I wished, Evangelina,

That there were no growing old.

For I thought of how thy sweet eyes

Would grow dim with tears and care;

How the years would turn to silver

All thy wealth of golden hair.

How the lines of life would gather

O'er the face so placid now;

Traces of its toil and struggle

Touching lip and cheek and brow.

This I thought, and wished the shadows

Might not lengthen o'er thy way;

Wished there were no time but spring-time,

Were no evening of the day.

Now I fear, Evangelina,

That my wish was half a prayer,

That the listening Father heard me,

That thou liest, an answer, there.

For thou liest in thy beauty,—

Eyes of blue and hair of gold,

Lip and cheek and brow of marble,

Folded fingers, still and cold;—

O my angel, God hath called thee

Where there is no growing old.