Thou! oh thou, hast loved me dearest

Thou! oh thou, hast loved me dearest

When no other cared for me;

When my fortune seemed severest,

Kindest was the smile from thee!

Yes! ah, Yes! the lorn and lonely,

Hollow hearts of worldling shun;

Theirs are flowers of day, which only

Open when they see the sun.

But, while theirs were all reposing

In the absence of the light,

Like the Cereus, thine unclosing,

Gave its sweetness to the night!

Thou! oh thou, hast loved me, dearest!

When none other cared for me;

When my fortune seemed severest,

Kindest was the smile from thee!