by Evaleen Stein

Dear heart, on this thrice-blessed day,
An thou my sweetheart be,
The rose of love shall bide always
Upon the red-rose tree.

And in the garden of my heart
So ceaselessly shall shine,
The little birds will know thou art
Mine own true Valentine.

And I will bid them wing and sing
To all good winds that blow,
That to thy little feet they bring
All blessings, even so.

And o’er thy cradle I will coax,
By every lucky charm,
The friendship of the fairy folks
To fold thee from all harm.

So may they hover round thy head
And gently thereupon,
As doth the April sunshine, shed
Most gracious benison.

And all fair gifts that Fortune hath,
I’ll pray she promise these,
And that she loose about thy path
All sweet influences.

Then here’s a kiss! and there’s a kiss!
And kisses, one, two, three!
I seal them in the folds of this,
And speed them unto thee!