Thy Beauty Be

When first I praised the beauty of thy face,
I spoke but one small part of all I knew;
For fairer still the workings of thy grace,
The light of mind that shineth deep and true.

Thy thoughts, like stars, make darkened seasons bright,
Thy kindness falls as rain on thirsty ground;
Thy wit can turn the common day to light,
And in thy voice old lost delights are found.

I knew thee once when youth was crowned with spring,
When winter snow bore songs through midnight air;
Though many years have wheeled on restless wing,
Time could not steal the gifts that still are there.

So when I say thou art most fair to me,
I praise the God that made thy beauty be.