FIRST LOVE.

We met — he was a stranger,

His foot was free to roam;

I was a simple maiden,

Who had never left my home.

He was a noble scion

Of the green Highland pine,

To a strange soil transplanted,

Far from his native clime

And well his bearing pleased me,

For I had never seen

Keener eye, or smile more sunlit,

Or more dignity of mien.

His brow was fair and lofty,

Bright was his clustering hair;

I marvelled that to other eyes

He seemed not half so fair

His it was to plead with men,

With “Thus my Lord hath said;”

He stood God's messenger between

The living and the dead

When I heard how earnestly

His pleading message ran,

I said, “Here God has set his seal

To mark a perfect man.”

The rapture of a moment

Came suddenly to me;

With softened glance he asked me,

‘ Could you learn to think of me?’

The star of love shone o'er us,

His arm was round me thrown

And he fondly said he loved me

And loved but me alone

I was but a simple maiden

Village born and village bred

And when this crown of gladness

Dropped down upon my head

A simple maiden's feelings

That moment sprang awake

I wished myself rich, noble

And lovely for his sake

Ah, love akin to sorrow

Ah, ecstasy so fleet!

Why is parting made the surer

When the meeting is so sweet?

Quick as the flash of summer

Came bliss to fade too soon

My poor heart swelled, as ocean

Swells for the lady moon.

I saw him at the altar

Upon a morning fair

The matron and the maiden,

And paranymph were there

There were holy words, and wishes,

And smiles when tears would start

A fair bride stood beside him,

And I — I stood apart.

Then came the parting moment,

After I loved him well;

I stilled my heart's sore beating,

And so I said farewell,

And oh! may no remembrance

Cause him a moment's pain,

But yet, indeed, I loved him,

And I'll never love again.