I love thee, as I love the calm <br />Of sweet, star-lighted hours! <br />I love thee, as I love the balm <br />Of early jes'mine flow'rs. <br />I love thee, as I love the last <br />Rich smile of fading day, <br />Which lingereth, like the look we cast, <br />On rapture pass'd away. <br />I love thee as I love the tone <br />Of some soft-breathing flute <br />Whose soul is wak'd for me alone, <br />When all beside is mute. <br /> <br />I love thee as I love the first <br />Young violet of the spring; <br />Or the pale lily, April-nurs'd, <br />To scented blossoming. <br />I love thee, as I love the full, <br />Clear gushings of the song, <br />Which lonely-sad-and beautiful- <br />At night-fall floats along, <br />Pour'd by the bul-bul forth to greet <br />The hours of rest and dew; <br />When melody and moonlight meet <br />To blend their charm, and hue. <br />I love thee, as the glad bird loves <br />The freedom of its wing, <br />On which delightedly it moves <br />In wildest wandering. <br /> <br />I love thee as I love the swell, <br />And hush, of some low strain, <br />Which bringeth, by its gentle spell, <br />The past to life again. <br />Such is the feeling which from thee <br />Nought earthly can allure: <br />'Tis ever link'd to all I see <br />Of gifted-high-and pure!<br /><br />Eliza Acton<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/i-love-thee-10/
