“AMONG THOSE JOYS FOR WHICH WE UTTER PRAISE.”

Among those joys for which we utter praise

That were not in our lives, one year ago;—

(No need to name them, dearest; for you know

Each one that came, our ignorant hearts to raise

To love’s high level;) let us count the days

Before we knew each other; days when no

Sweet premonition of love’s full rich glow

Gleamed on the darkness of our separate ways.

All preludes should be simple; that no dream

Or hint of this new beauty came to fill

The unconscious hours with meaning, does but seem

Fit introduction to the joys that thrill

Our glad souls now, from love that knew no still

Awaking,—but dawned instantly supreme.