The eye of love

I know her story-telling eye
has more expression than her tongue;
and from that heart-extorted sigh,
at once the peal of love is rung.

When that soft eye lets fall a tear
of doating fondness as we part,
the stream is from a cause sincere,
and issues from a melting heart.

What shall her fluttering pulse restrain,
the life-watch beating from her soul,
when all the power of hate is slain,
and love permits it no control.

When said her tongue, I wish thee well,
her eye declared it must be true;
and every sentence seem'd to tell
the tale of sorrow told by few.

When low she bow'd and wheel'd aside,
I saw her blushing temples fade;
her smiles were sunk in sorrow's tide,
but love was in her eye betray'd.
George Moses Horton (1779-1883)