The Lover’s Song

Oh sooner shall yon star decline, Which guides the wand'ring seaman's way, Than thou shalt from the inmost shrine Of this warm heart, be torn away: No !--firm, as pure, my love shall be, Though nurs'd for ever,--silently ! In vain for me the festal hall Displays the wine-cup's blushing hue; And music's swell, or faint, low fall, Echoes, the vaulted chamber through: Alike from song, and revelry, I sorrowing turn me,--silently! I gaze unmov'd, though Beauty's smile, And Beauty's eyes, be near to bless; I think with beating breast the while, Of thy retiring loveliness: And lonely, and afar from thee, My tears fall fast but,--silently! Ev'n when my swelling soul is full Of those deep feelings, which arise, When mid-night, calmly beautiful, With starry splendour lights the skies, O'er Nature's glorious charms I sigh, And mourn thine absence,--silently! To dwell eternally apart From thee on earth, may be my lot, With fading brow, and with'ring heart To linger on, where thou art not; Yet turning, with devotion high, To thy bright image,--silently !-- Should it be thus,--when in the grave My spirit finds its rest at last, Wilt thou, who had'st no pow'r to save, Weep for awhile o'er suff'ring past; And sometimes, e'en when crowds are nigh, Recall thy lost one,--silently!