“Drink to me only with thine eyes, and I will pledge with mine,”
I read in this old song, anew, this living love of thine!
The old, old song that in the days now swift and sure are fled,
Recalls its sparkle and its mirth, oblivious of its dead!
It served to bear as lover's gift all tender thought and true,
It wove among the garlands sweet red roses, never rue!
“Drink to me only with thine eyes,” ay with thy tender eyes —
And read in mine, half-veiled from thee, my own heart's sweet surprise!
“And I will pledge with mine,” dear love, yea, pledge a thousand-fold
The hours of life that thou alone in mem'ry shalt enfold.
Only within thy dark, grave eyes would I be mirrored now,
And only from thy folded lips learn love's own cherished vow.
“Drink to me only with thine eyes, and I will pledge with mine!”
While overhead, above life's stream, shines out love's star divine.
And life no more is dark and drear, and storms no more may break
Where love's own glorious light shines forth and bids the heart awake!