The One You Loved the Best

Oh! love — love well, but only once! for never shall the dream
Of youthful hope return again on life’s dark rolling stream —
No love can match the early one which young affection nurs’d;
Oh, no — the one you loved the best, is she you loved the first.

Once lost — that gladsome vision past — a fairer form may rise,
And eyes whose lustre mocks the light of starry southern skies,
But vainly seek you to enshrine the charmer in your breast.
For still the one you loved the first, is she you loved the best.

Again — ’tis gone — ’tis past away — those gentle tones and looks
Have vanished like the feathery snow in summer’s running brooks;
With weary pinions wandering love forsakes the heart, his nest,
And fain would rest again with her whom first you loved, and best.

Perchance some faithful one is found, when love’s romance is o’er,
With her you safe through storms may glide, to reach life’s farthest shore;
But all too cold and real now you deem your home of rest,
And you sigh for her you loved the first — for her you loved the best.