Reunited Love

Richard Doddridge Blackmore (1825–1900)

“I DREAMED that we were lovers still,

As tender as we used to be

When I brought you the daffodil,

And you looked up and smiled at me.”

“True sweethearts were we then, indeed,

When youth was budding into bloom;

And now the flowers are gone to seed,

And breezes have left no perfume.”

“Because you ever, ever will

Take such a crooked view of things,

Distorting this and that, until

Confusion ends in cavillings.”

“Because you never, never will

Perceive the force of what I say;

As if I always reasoned ill—

Enough to take one’s breath away!”

“But what if riper love replace

The vision that enchanted me,

When all you did was perfect grace,

And all you said was melody?”

“And what if loyal heart renew

The image never quite foregone,

Combining, as of yore, in you

A Samson and a Solomon?”

“Then to the breezes will I toss

The straws we split with temper’s loss;

Then seal upon your lips anew

The peace that gentle hearts ensue.”

“Oh, welcome then, ye playful ways,

And sunshine of the early days;

And banish to the clouds above

Dull reason, that bedarkens love!”