They Met But Once.

They met but once, in youth's sweet hour,         And never since that day     Hath absence, time, or grief had power         To chase that dream away.     They've seen the suns of other skies,         On other shores have sought delight;     But never more to bless their eyes         Can come a dream so bright!     They met but once,--a day was all         Of Love's young hopes they knew;     And still their hearts that day recall         As fresh as then it flew.     Sweet dream of youth! oh, ne'er again         Let either meet the brow     They left so smooth and smiling then,         Or see what it is now.     For, Youth, the spell was only thine,         From thee alone the enchantment flows,     That makes the world around thee shine         With light thyself bestows.     They met but once,--oh, ne'er again         Let either meet the brow     They left so smooth and smiling then,         Or see what it is now.