An Elegy On Parting

It was a sad, ay 'twas a sad farewell, I still afresh the pangs of parting feel; Against my breast my heart impatient beat, And in deep sighs bemoan'd its cruel fate; Thus with the object of my love to part, My life! my joy! 'twould rend a rocky heart. Where'er I turn myself, where'er I go, I meet the image of my lovely foe; With witching charms the phantom still appears, And with her wanton smiles insults my tears; Still haunts the places where we used to walk, And where with raptures oft I heard her talk: Those scenes I now with deepest sorrow view, And sighing bid to all delight adieu. While I my head upon this turf recline, Officious sun, in vain on me you shine; In vain unto the smiling fields I hie; In vain the flowery meads salute my eye; In vain the cheerful birds and shepherds sing, And with their carols make the valleys ring; Yea, all the pleasure that the country yield Can't me from sorrow for her absence shield; With divine pleasure books which one inspire, Yea, books themselves I do not now admire. But hark! methinks some pitying power I hear, This welcome message whisper in my ear: ‘Forget thy groundless griefs, dejected swain, You and the nymph you love shall meet again; No more your muse shall sing such mournful lays, But bounteous heaven and your kind mistress praise.’