Lost Desire

Love brought by night a vision to my bed,

One that still wore the vesture of a child

But eighteen years of age – who sweetly smiled

Till of the lovely form false hopes were bred

And keen embraces wild.

Ah! for the lost desire that haunts me yet,

Till mine eyes fail in sleep that finds no more

That fleeting ghost! Oh, lovelorn heart, give o’er –

Cease thy vain dreams of beauty’s warmth – forget

The face thou longest for!