The Unguarded Moment

by Phoebe Carey

Yes, my lips to-night have spoken
Words I said they should not speak;
And I would I could recall them, --
Would I had not been so weak.
O that one unguarded moment!
Were it mine to live again,
All the strength of its temptation
Would appeal to me in vain.

True, my lips have only uttered
What is ever in my heart:
I am happy when beside him,
Wretched when we are apart;
Though I listen to his praises
Always longer than I should,
Yet my heart can never hear them
Half so often as it would!

And I would not, could not, pain him,
Would not for the world offend, --
I would have him know I like him,
As a brother, as a friend;
But I meant to keep one secret
In my bosom always hid,
For I never meant to tell him
That I loved him, -- but I did.