To ------

Some time, far hence, when Autumn sheds                 Her frost upon your hair,              And you together sit at dusk,                 May I come to you there?              And lightly will our hearts turn back                 To this, then distant, day              When, while the world was clad in flowers,                 You two were wed in May.              When we shall sit about your board                 Three old friends met again,              Joy will be with us, but not much                 Of jest and laughter then;              For Autumn's large content and calm,                 Like heaven's own smile, will bless              The harvest of your happy lives                 With store of happiness.              May you, who, flankt about with flowers,                 Will plight your faith to-day,              Hold, evermore enthroned, the love                 Which you have crowned in May;              And Time will sleep upon his scythe,                 The swallow rest his wing,              Seeing that you at autumntide                 Still clasp the hands of spring.