But since my breast is not so pure, Not thee -oh! dearest as thou art! In mercy, Clara! let us part, And I will seek, yet know now how To shun, in time, the threatening dart Guilt must not aim at such as thou. But thou must aid me in the task, A heart, whose hope has long been dead. Deceive no more thyself and me, Deceive not better hearts than mine; Ah! shouldst thou, whither wouldst thou flee, From woe like ours from shame like thine? And, if there be a wrath divine, A pang beyond this fleeting breath, E'en now all future hope resign, Such thoughts are guilt-such guilt is death. STANZAS. ΤΟ THERE was a time, I need not name, And from that hour when first thy tongue Confessed a love which equalled mine, Though many a grief my heart hath wrung, Unknown and thus unfelt by thine, None, none hath sunk so deep as this Transient as every faithless kiss, But transient in thy breast alone. And yet my heart some solace knew, Yes! my adored, yet most unkind! Yes! 'tis a glorious thought to me, Nor longer shall my soul repine, Whate'er thou art or e'er shalt be, Thou hast been dearly, solely mine! TO THE SAME. AND wilt thou weep when I am low? My heart is sad, my hopes are gone, My blood runs coldly through my breast; And when I perish, thou alone Wilt sigh above my place of rest. And yet, methinks, a gleam of peace Doth through my cloud of anguish shine; And for a while my sorrow cease, To know thy heart hath felt for mine. Oh lady! blessed be that tear It falls for one that cannot weep: Such precious drops are doubly dear To those whose eyes no tear may steep. Sweet lady! once my heart was warm Yet wilt thou weep when I am low? SONNET. TO GENEVRA. THY cheek is pale with thought, but not from woe, but oh! While gazing on them sterner eyes will gush, Gleams like a seraph from the sky descending, TO BELSHAZZAR. BELSHAZZAR! from the banquet turn, Crowned and annointed from on high; Go! dash the roses from thy brow- More than thy very diadem, Where thou hast tarnished every gem Then throw the worthless bauble by, Which, worn by thee, ev'n slaves contemn; And learn like better men to die. Oh! early in the balance weighed, |