Two lovers by a moss-grown spring: br They leaned soft cheeks together there, br Mingled the dark and sunny hair, br And heard the wooing thrushes sing. br O budding time! br O love's blest prime! br br Two wedded from the portal stept: br The bells made happy carolings, br The air was soft as fanning wings, br White petals on the pathway slept. br O pure-eyed bride! br O tender pride! br br Two faces o'er a cradle bent: br Two hands above the head were locked: br These pressed each other while they rocked, br Those watched a life that love had sent. br O solemn hour! br O hidden power! br br Two parents by the evening fire: br The red light fell about their knees br On heads that rose by slow degrees br Like buds upon the lily spire. br O patient life! br O tender strife! br br The two still sat together there, br The red light shone about their knees; br But all the heads by slow degrees br Had gone and left that lonely pair.