A Poem by Henry Cholmondley-Pennell

Came across this poem on Christmas Day and read it to Tracy Michele. We may have it printed up for the wedding, with all the particulars of the spacing and punctuation.

TO A LADY WITH A RING

SWEET Valentine, dear lady mine,
Love lays an offering at your shrine ---
Yet mete not by this span of gold
That which would reach thro' years untold,
Would burn when life itself is cold.
Not with the dazzling fitful gleam
That gilds the stripling's fever-dream
(For love --- the dream-love of the boy ---
Is but a glittering summer toy) ---
But with the strong and steady glow,
But with the deep and tender flow,
That a man's heart alone can know,
Pouring his soul out at her feet
Whose smile can make all dark things sweet ...
Love undivided close and dear
With ready arm to guide and cheer,
His breast her shield from every fear :
Love changeless still, where change is rife,
Thro' storm and calm, thro' peace and strife,
For grief for joy, for death for life !
Love breathed in one soft whisper --- wife.

- 'From Grave To Gay' : 
A Volume of Selections From The Complete Poems of H. Cholmondeley-Pennell (1884)