To One Asking Lighter Songs

A gentle sadness best becomes The features of the perfect Muse: The shock of laughter but benumbs The lips that crave immortal dews. For she hath known diviner fears, And she hath held her vigils far; But never in untroubled years, Nor world that grief came not to mar. For joy is as the wreaths that lie Foam-wrought along the sterile sands; And sorrow as the voice whereby The ocean saddens all its lands,— That calls afar to pine or palm The changeless trouble of the deep; That murmurs in the gentlest calm, And haunts, unknown, the realm of sleep. But pleasure's foam, so fondly prized, We strive to keep (unduly dear— Its very touch scarce realized) With hands unwarmed, till, lo! a tear.