My heart beat fast at the beautiful phrase;
She had not intended it, I suppose,
But I felt I could love her all my days,
If under the stars I might pluck one rose!
Pleading my cause in so ardent a way,
Almost evoking an answering glow,
Crying, 'You once were as young and as gay'—
Then, she smil'd a little and let me go.
'Twas pleasure enough to be out of doors;
I look'd at the stars and I felt content: