Oh, no—not ev’n when first we lov’d

Oh, no—not ev’n when first we lov’d,
Wert thou as dear as now thou art;
Thy beauty then my senses mov’d,
    But now thy virtues bind my heart.
What was but Passion's sigh before,
    Has since been turned to Reason's vow;
And, though I then might love thee more,
    Trust me, I love thee better now.

Although my heart in earlier youth
    Might kindle with more wild desire,
Believe me, it has gain’d in truth
    Much more than it has lost in fire.
The flame now warms my inmost core,
    That then but sparkled o'er my brow,
And though I seem’d to love thee more,
    Yet, oh, I love thee better now.