To Helene, On a Gift-ring carelessly lost

By George Darley

1795-1846


I SENT a ring--a little band
         Of emerald and ruby stone,
And bade it, sparkling on thy hand,
         Tell thee sweet tales of one
         Whose constant memory
         Was full of loveliness, and thee.

A shell was graven on its gold,--
         'Twas Cupid fix'd without his wings--
To Helene once it would have told
         More than was ever told by rings:
         But now all 's past and gone,
         Her love is buried with that stone.

Thou shalt not see the tears that start
         From eyes by thoughts like these beguiled;
Thou shalt not know the beating heart,
         Ever a victim and a child:
         Yet Helene, love, believe
         The heart that never could deceive.

I'll hear thy voice of melody
         In the sweet whispers of the air;
I'll see the brightness of thine eye
         In the blue evening's dewy star;
         In crystal streams thy purity;
         And look on Heaven to look on thee.

DayPoems Poem No. 593
<a href="http://www.daypoems.net/poems/593.html">To Helene, On a Gift-ring carelessly lost by George Darley</a>

The DayPoems Poetry Collection, www.daypoems.net
Timothy Bovee, editor

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