The poems of John G. C. Brainard A new and authentic collection, with an original memoir of his life |
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MANIAC'S SONG. |
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 | The poems of John G. C. Brainard |  |
MANIAC'S SONG.
I can but smile when others weep,
I can but weep when others smile;
O! let me in this bosom keep
The secret of my heart awhile.
I can but weep when others smile;
O! let me in this bosom keep
The secret of my heart awhile.
My form was fair, my step was light,
As ever tripped the dance along;
My cheek was smooth, my eye was bright—
My thought was wild, my heart was young.
As ever tripped the dance along;
My cheek was smooth, my eye was bright—
My thought was wild, my heart was young.
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And he I loved would laugh with glee,
And every heart but mine was glad;
He had a smile for all but me;
O! he was gay, and I was sad!
And every heart but mine was glad;
He had a smile for all but me;
O! he was gay, and I was sad!
Now, I have lost my blooming health,
And joy, and hope, no more abide;
And wildering fancies come by stealth,
Like moonlight on a shifting tide.
And joy, and hope, no more abide;
And wildering fancies come by stealth,
Like moonlight on a shifting tide.
They say he wept, when he was told
That I was sad and sorrowful;
That on my wrist the chain was cold—
That at my heart the blood was dull.
That I was sad and sorrowful;
That on my wrist the chain was cold—
That at my heart the blood was dull.
They fear I'm crazed—they need not fear,
For smiles are false, and tears are true;
I better love to see a tear,
Than all the smiles I ever knew.
For smiles are false, and tears are true;
I better love to see a tear,
Than all the smiles I ever knew.
| The poems of John G. C. Brainard | |