 | Poems |  |
WHY?
We love, we know not why;
“Why?” would reason know?
What can we reply,
But “O Love, 'tis so!”
A moment—we are free;
A moment—some sweet eyes
Have fill'd our hearts with burning hopes,
Our future with sad sighs.
“Why?” would reason know?
What must each reply?
“Fate has will'd it so;
“Not I, in truth, not I.”
“Why?” would reason know?
What can we reply,
But “O Love, 'tis so!”
A moment—we are free;
A moment—some sweet eyes
Have fill'd our hearts with burning hopes,
Our future with sad sighs.
“Why?” would reason know?
What must each reply?
“Fate has will'd it so;
“Not I, in truth, not I.”
247
But two short years ago,
Said I, “Is there need,
“If his frowns, love, show,
“I his frowns should heed?”
I laugh'd, and lightly thought
Of all the boy could do;
A moment—I was surely caught:
My heart was gone to you.
“Why?” would reason know?
Can I but reply:
“Fate has will'd it so;
“Not I, in truth, not I.”
Said I, “Is there need,
“If his frowns, love, show,
“I his frowns should heed?”
I laugh'd, and lightly thought
Of all the boy could do;
A moment—I was surely caught:
My heart was gone to you.
“Why?” would reason know?
Can I but reply:
“Fate has will'd it so;
“Not I, in truth, not I.”
And do I, in the snare,
Cry and cry in vain,
“Eros, hear my prayer!
“Free me yet again?”
Ah, no; in the sweet past,
Still mine that prayer might be;
But now, O love, so changed! at last,
I would not, love, be free.
“Why?” would reason know?
What must I reply?
“Fate has will'd it so;
“Not I, in truth, not I.”
Cry and cry in vain,
“Eros, hear my prayer!
“Free me yet again?”
Ah, no; in the sweet past,
Still mine that prayer might be;
But now, O love, so changed! at last,
I would not, love, be free.
“Why?” would reason know?
What must I reply?
“Fate has will'd it so;
“Not I, in truth, not I.”
| Poems | |