Poems of Passion — 15 - Guilo

[Illustration: A JUNE ROSE] GUILO.

Yes, yes!

I love thee, Guilo; thee alone.

Why dost thou sigh, and wear that face of sorrow?

The sunshine is to-day's, although it shone On yesterday, and may shine on to-morrow.

I love but thee, my Guilo!

be content;

The greediest heart can claim but present pleasure.

The future is thy God's. The past is spent.

To-day is thine; clasp close the precious treasure.

See how I love thee, Guilo!

Lips and eyes Could never under thy fond gaze dissemble.

I could not feign these passion-laden sighs;

Deceiving thee, my pulses would not tremble.

"So I loved Romney."

Hush, thou foolish one-- I should forget him wholly wouldst thou let me;

Or but remember that his day was done From that supremest hour when first I met thee.

"And Paul?"

Well, what of Paul?

Paul had blue eyes, And Romney gray, and thine are darkly tender!

One finds fresh feelings under change of skies-- A new horizon brings a newer splendor.

_As I love thee_ I never loved before;

Believe me, Guilo, for I speak most truly.

What though to Romney and to Paul I swore The self-same words; my heart now worships newly.

We never feel the same emotion twice: No two ships ever ploughed the self-same billow;

The waters change with every fall and rise;

So, Guilo, go contented to thy pillow.