Shall they not flow, when many a day In these, to me, deserted towers, Ere called but for a time away, Affection's mingling tears were ours? Ours too the glance none saw beside; The smile none else might understand; The whispered thought of hearts allied, The pressure of the thrilling hand; The kiss so guiltless and refined That Love each warmer wish forbore; Those eyes proclaimed so pure a mind, Ev'n passion blushed to plead for more. The tone, that taught me to rejoice, When prone, unlike thee, to repine; The song, celestial from thy voice, But sweet to me from none but thine; The pledge we wore I wear it still, But where is thine?-ah, where art thou? Thy virtues seek a fitter sphere, Impart some portion of thy bliss, To wean me from mine anguish here. Teach me too early taught by thee! To bear, forgiving and forgiv'n : On earth thy love was such to me; It fain would form my hope in heav'n! XIII. STANZAS. 1. AWAY, away, ye notes of woe! Be silent thou once soothing strain, Or I must flee from hence, for, oh! I dare not trust those sounds again. To me they speak of brighter days But lull the chords, for now, alas! I must not think, I may not gaze On what I am, on what I was. 2. The voice that made those sounds more sweet Is hushed, and all their charms are fled; And now their softest notes repeat A dirge, an anthem o'er the dead' Yes, Thyrza! yes, they breathe of thee, And all that once was harmony Is worse than discord to my heart! 3. "Tis silent all!-but on my ear The well-remembered echoes thrill; I hear a voice I would not hear, A voice that now might well be still, Yet oft my doubting soul 'twill shake : Ev'n slumber owns its gentle tone, Till consciousness will vainly wake To listen, though the dream be flown. 4. Sweet Thyrza! waking as in sleep, Thou art but now a lovely dream; A star that trembled o'er the deep, Then turned from earth its tender beam. |