first love

First Love

I near was struck before that hour
With love so sudden and so sweet,
His face ;it bloomed like a sweet flower
And stole my heart away complete.
My face turned pale as deadly pale.
My legs refused to walk away,
And when he looked, what could I ail?
My life and all seemed turned to clay.

And then my blood rushed to my face
And took my eyesight quite away,
The trees and bushes round the place
Seemed midnight at noonday.
I could not see a single thing,
Words from my eyes did start --
They spoke as chords do from the string,
And blood burnt round my heart.

Are flowers the winter's choice?
Is love's bed always snow?
he seemed to hear my silent voice,
Not love's appeals to know.
I never saw so sweet a face
As that I stood before.
My heart has left its dwelling-place
And can return no more..

JANKI.VENKAT

My love swears that he is made of truth
My love swears that he is made of truth
I do believe him, though I know he lies,
That he might think me some untutored youth,
Unlearned in the world's false subtleties.

Thus vainly thinking that he thinks me young,

Although he knows my days are past the best,
Simply I credit him false-speaking tongue;
On both sides thus is simple truth suppressed.
But wherefore says he not he is unjust?
And wherefore say not I that I am old?
O, love's best habit is in seeming trust,
And age in love, loves not to have years told.
Therefore I lie with him, and he with me,
And in our faults by lies we flattered be.

-JANKI.V