First Love.

(A. S.) 1845.     We met--he was a stranger,         His foot was free to roam;     I was a simple maiden,         Who had never left my home.     He was a noble scion         Of the green Highland pine,     To a strange soil transplanted,         Far from his native clime     And well his bearing pleased me,         For I had never seen     Keener eye, or smile more sunlit,         Or more dignity of mien.     His brow was fair and lofty,         Bright was his clustering hair;     I marvelled that to other eyes         He seemed not half so fair     His it was to plead with men,         With "Thus my Lord hath said;"     He stood God's messenger between         The living and the dead     When I heard how earnestly         His pleading message ran,     I said, "Here God has set his seal         To mark a perfect man."     The rapture of a moment         Came suddenly to me;     With softened glance he asked me,      'Could you learn to think of me?'     The star of love shone o'er us,         His arm was round me thrown     And he fondly said he loved me         And loved but me alone     I was but a simple maiden         Village born and village bred     And when this crown of gladness         Dropped down upon my head     A simple maiden's feelings         That moment sprang awake     I wished myself rich, noble         And lovely for his sake     Ah, love akin to sorrow         Ah, ecstasy so fleet!     Why is parting made the surer         When the meeting is so sweet?     Quick as the flash of summer         Came bliss to fade too soon     My poor heart swelled, as ocean         Swells for the lady moon.     I saw him at the altar         Upon a morning fair     The matron and the maiden,         And paranymph were there     There were holy words, and wishes,         And smiles when tears would start     A fair bride stood beside him,         And I--I stood apart.     Then came the parting moment,         After I loved him well;     I stilled my heart's sore beating,         And so I said farewell,     And oh! may no remembrance         Cause him a moment's pain,     But yet, indeed, I loved him,         And I'll never love again.