Dear face—bright, glinting hair; br Dear life, whose heart is mine— br The thought of you is prayer, br The love of you divine. br In starlight, or in rain; br In the sunset's shrouded glow; br Ever, with joy or pain, br To you my quick thoughts go br Like winds or clouds, that fleet br Across the hungry space br Between, and find you, sweet, br Where life again wins grace. br Now, as in that once young br Year that so softly drew br My heart to where it clung, br I long for, gladden in you. br And when in the silent hours br I whisper your sacred name, br Like an altar-fire it showers br My blood with fragrant flame! br Perished is all that grieves; br And lo, our old-new joys br Are gathered as in sheaves, br Held in love's equipoise. br Ours is the love that lives; br Its springtime blossoms blow br 'Mid the fruit that autumn gives, br And its life outlasts the snow.