Dear Florence! young and fair thou art,

Thy cheeks are like the rose’s heart⁠—

The sweet, red rose, that’s newly born,

When from the faintly dappled sky,

Looks out the laughing glance of morn.

Alas! dear one, I can but sigh

To think how many years divide

Thy happy turn of life and mine!

A river rolleth deep and wide

Between my destined path and thine.