Unknown [Love Poem]
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03523.10.232 Author/Creator: Unknown Place Written: s.l. Type: Poem Date: n.d. Pagination: 2 p. ; 20.2 x 12.7 cm. Order a Copy
A love poem discussing separation, written by a man to a woman.
Maitland Collection. Joseph Maitland enlisted on 8 August 1862 as a Private. He was mustered into "G" Co. OH 95th Infantry. He was mustered out 31 May 1865 at Memphis, Tennessee.
[Draft Created by Crowdsourcing]
'Tis said that absence conquers love!
But O! believe it not;
I've tried alas! its power to prove,
But thou art not forgot.
Lady though fate has bid us part,
Yet still thou art as dear
As fixed in this devoted heart
As when I clasped thee here.
I plunge into the busy crowd;
And smile to hear thy name;
And yet, as if I thought aloud,
They know me still the same.
And when the wine cup passes round
I toast some other fair.-
But when I ask my heart the sound,
Thy name is echoed there.
And when some other name I learn,
And try to whisper love,
Still will my heart to thee return,
[2]
Like the returning dove.
In vain! I never can forget
And would not be forgot;
For I must bear the same regret,
Where'er may be my lot.
E'en as the wounded bird will seek
Its favorite bower to die,
So lady, I would hear thee speak,
And yield my parting sigh.
'Tis said that absence conquer's love
But O believe it not;
I've tried alas! its power to prove
But thou art not forgot.
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