The lay of an Irish harp :: :: University of Virginia Library

Oh! should I fly from the world, Love, to thee,
Would solitude render me dearer?
Would our flight from the world draw thee closer to me,
Or render thy passion sincerer?

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Would the heart thou hast touch'd more tumult'ously beat
Than when its wild pulse fear'd detection?
Would the bliss unrestrain'd be more poignantly sweet
Than the bliss snatch'd by timid affection?

II

Though silence and solitude breathed all around,
And each cold law of prudence was banish'd,

129

Though each wish of the heart and the fancy was crown'd,
We should sigh for those hours that are vanish'd.
When in secret we suffer'd, in secret were blest,
Lest the many should censure our union;
And an age of restraint, when oppos'd and opprest,
Was repaid by a moment's communion.

III

When virtue's pure tear dew'd our love's kindling beam
It hallow'd the bliss it repented;
When a penitent sigh breath'd o'er passion's wild dream
It absolv'd half the fault it lamented:

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And how thrillingly sweet was each pleasure we stole,
In spite of each prudent restriction,
When the soul unrestrain'd met its warm kindred soul,
And we laugh'd at the world's interdiction!

IV

Then fly, oh my love! to the world back with me,
Since the bliss it denies it enhances,
Since dearest the transient delight shar'd with thee,
Which is snatch'd from the world's prying glances:
Nor talk thus of death till the warm thrill of love
From each languid breast is retreating;

131

Then may the life pulse of each heart cease to move
When love's vital throb has ceas'd beating.