It shed below a holier light Than ever sun or star hath given, It rent the films that veiled my sight, For ever linked my thoughts with heaven; And flung around my soul a spell That ne'er can die with earth's farewell. 1271 I'LL STILL LOVE THEE. By day, by night, in weal or woe, If it be mine to dwell afar In distant lands beyond the sea, Where savages untutored are, I'll still love thee. Or in my home near thee to dwell, A simple child of minstrelsy, And win the world with song's sweet spell, I'll still love thee. When floating down the dizzy dance When sudden seas of sorrow roll I'll still love thee. And when upon the couch of death, And time is closing unto me, My latest prayer-my latest breath I'll breathe for thee. IMPROMPTU, ON BEING ASKED "WHY THIS GLOOM?" ASK not, alas! whence is this gloom, This dark cloud on my brow, Why fadeth thus my cheek's fresh bloom, Or why so pensive now. Ask not, dear friend, why steal the tears In silence from mine eye, Why anguish in my look appears, Or why so oft I sigh ; For there are woes too deep for speech, For human sympathy to reach, Sorrows that have no tongue. |