But That Was Long Ago

But That Was Long Ago

One day, 'twas long ago,

I met a maiden, far to see,

A maiden fair and dear to me;

But that was long ago.

She was so fair, I know;

How fair she was I cannot say,

But fairer than a morn of May:

But that was long ago.

And we did vow, I know,

That some day we would wed,

Following where sly Cupid led;

But that was long ago.

The years went slowly by:

I know not where they went,

Into what other forms were lent, -

Perhaps into a sigh!

And then we met, I know;

But all the hopes of youth had fled,

And all the love of youth was dead:

But that was long ago.

And not a word, I vow,

Of all the past by us was said, -

We each some other one had wed, -

But that was long ago.

T. Thomas Fortune

4:49, p. 2

1891.08.29

From the Springfield (Mass.) Sunday Republican