I sent a ring—a little band br Of emerald and ruby stone, br And bade it, sparkling on thy hand, br Tell thee sweet tales of one br Whose constant memory br Was full of loveliness, and thee. br br A shell was graven on its gold,— br 'Twas Cupid fix'd without his wings— br To Helene once it would have told br More than was ever told by rings: br But now all 's past and gone, br Her love is buried with that stone. br br Thou shalt not see the tears that start br From eyes by thoughts like these beguiled; br Thou shalt not know the beating heart, br Ever a victim and a child: br Yet Helene, love, believe br The heart that never could deceive. br br I'll hear thy voice of melody br In the sweet whispers of the air; br I'll see the brightness of thine eye br In the blue evening's dewy star; br In crystal streams thy purity; br And look on Heaven to look on thee.