The Avowal

I love you — 'tis the simplest way
     The thing I feel to tell; 
Yet if I told it all the day,
     You'd never guess how well. 
You are my comfort and my light —
     My very life you seem; 
I think of you all day; all night
     'Tis but of you I dream.

There's pleasure in the lightest word
     That you can speak to me; 
My soul is like the Æolian's chord,
     And vibrates still to thee. 
I never read the love-song yet,
     So thrilling, fond, or true,
But in my own heart I have met
     Some kinder thought for you.

I bless the shadows of your face, 
     The light upon your hair —
I like for hours to sit and trace 
     The passing changes there;
I love to hear your voice's tone, 
     Although you should not say
A single word to dream upon 
     When that has died away.

O! you are kindly as the beam
     That warms where'er it plays, 
And you are gentle as a dream
     Of happy future days; 
And you are strong to do the right,
     And swift the wrong to flee; 
And if you were not half so bright,
     You're all the world to me.