 | The Poetical Works of Robert Montgomery |  |
TO * * * *
Oh, Lady! in my boyish hour
Perchance thou seest me gay as young,
The dazzled slave of pleasure's power,
With rapture in the heart and tongue.
Perchance thou seest me gay as young,
The dazzled slave of pleasure's power,
With rapture in the heart and tongue.
Yet, think not thus I ever seem,
As though beyond the world's alloy;
For darkness girds our brightest dream,
And sorrow tones our deepest joy!
As though beyond the world's alloy;
For darkness girds our brightest dream,
And sorrow tones our deepest joy!
I never knew a moment yet
Which did not wear some withering stain,—
An outline of a dim regret,
Or shadow of some coming Pain!
Which did not wear some withering stain,—
An outline of a dim regret,
Or shadow of some coming Pain!
Alone amid the world I move,
With scarce a smile, or tear, for me,
And not a heart to share the love
That springs from bosom-sympathy:
With scarce a smile, or tear, for me,
And not a heart to share the love
That springs from bosom-sympathy:
Without it, what can realms bestow
Of all harmonious natures feel?
It is to kindred mind we owe
The magic Time delights to seal.
Of all harmonious natures feel?
It is to kindred mind we owe
The magic Time delights to seal.
But, may no winter-shade intrude
Upon the spring-time of thy lot,
And all which mars my gayest mood
In thy young freshness be forgot:
Upon the spring-time of thy lot,
And all which mars my gayest mood
In thy young freshness be forgot:
May heaven attend thee, wheresoe'er
The bright-wing'd years may waft thee on;
And nothing cloud that blissful air
All eyes have loved to look upon!
The bright-wing'd years may waft thee on;
And nothing cloud that blissful air
All eyes have loved to look upon!
September 4th, 1829.
| The Poetical Works of Robert Montgomery | |