 | English melodies |  |
63
BEFORE MY LIP.
Before my lip could words command,
I saw thy form depart,
And I controll'd, with trembling hand,
The madness of my heart:
When next our glances met I spoke,
And thou received'st my vow;
Hope then, like heaven's pure radiance broke—
Alas! where is it now!
I saw thy form depart,
And I controll'd, with trembling hand,
The madness of my heart:
When next our glances met I spoke,
And thou received'st my vow;
Hope then, like heaven's pure radiance broke—
Alas! where is it now!
Away from sylvan walks and streams,
That breath'd of love and youth,
Thou dwelt 'midst fashion's tinsel-beams,
Forgetful of thy truth!
Once more I saw, 'neath heaven's cope,
That face I deem'd so fair;
But, ah! so chang'd, so cold—that Hope
Thrill'd through me like Despair.
That breath'd of love and youth,
Thou dwelt 'midst fashion's tinsel-beams,
Forgetful of thy truth!
Once more I saw, 'neath heaven's cope,
That face I deem'd so fair;
But, ah! so chang'd, so cold—that Hope
Thrill'd through me like Despair.
64
I heard thy heart was false—thy vow
To other ears was sigh'd;
I heard—and spurn'd the thought—but now
I would that I had died!
For what is life—when lost the dower
That makes existence bliss?
Ah, me! the madness of that hour,
The misery of this!
To other ears was sigh'd;
I heard—and spurn'd the thought—but now
I would that I had died!
For what is life—when lost the dower
That makes existence bliss?
Ah, me! the madness of that hour,
The misery of this!
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