The Trio

We love but once.  The great gold orb of light
 From dawn to eventide doth cast his ray;
But the full splendour of his perfect might
 Is reached but once throughout the live-long day.

We love but once.  The waves, with ceaseless motion,
 Do day and night plash on the pebbled shore;
But the strong tide of the resistless ocean
 Sweeps in but one hour of the twenty-four.

We love but once.  A score of times, perchance,
 We may be moved in fancy’s fleeting fashion –
May treasure up a word, a tone, a glance,
 But only once we feel the soul’s great passion.

We love but once.  Love walks with death and birth
 (The saddest, the unkindest of the three):
And only once while we sojourn on earth
 Can that strange trio come to you or me.