3-011-345 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

St. Valentine's Morn, drawn by Marcus Stone, 1864. 'In old times it was customary for a lover to place himself on Valentine's morn under his mistress's window, that he might be the first person to behold her on that day, and so be entitled to claim her as his Valentine for the year. "Beneath thy window, Sweetheart mine! I've watched since dawn of day, To greet thee as my Valentine And homage to thee pay; For thou art dearer to my heart Than all my tongue can say! The sun, just peeping o'er the hill, Smiles warmly on the sky; I long for such a smile from thee - A glance from thy bright eye - To drive the shadows from my heart And force my doubts to fly. Beneath thy lattice as I wait All nature slowly wakes; Far in the west retreating night Her dusky mantle shakes; Appear! and add to all the joy That rosy morning makes.Sweetheart! It needs but thy bright eyes To make the day complete; The changing colours of the dawn To me are not so sweet As those dear orbs of thine, which I Am waiting here to greet. Come forth, and let the blushing day Thy rival charms behold; Where thou art not the sun is dim, And all his rays are cold; Without thee all the world's a waste - A dark and dismal wold"'. From "Illustrated London News", 1864.