Read "Long Ago" by Ella Wheeler Wilcox online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
I loved a maiden, long ago, / She held within her hand my fate; / And in the ruddy sunset glow / We lingered at the garden gate.
The splendor of the western skies / Lay in a halo on her hair. / I gazed with worship in her eyes, / And deemed her true and knew her fair.
"Good night," I said, and turned away; / She held me with her subtle smile. / I saw her red lips whisper "stay," / And so I lingered yet awhile.
"I love you, love you, sweet! " I said, / She laughed, and whispered, "I love you. " / I kissed her small mouth, ripe and red, / And knew her fair, and deemed her true.
'Twas very, very long ago, / And I was young, and so was she; / My faith as love was strong, for oh! / The maid was all the world to me.
But as the sunset died away / And left the heavens cold and blue, / So died my dream of love one day. / The maid was only fair, not true.