The Works of Peter Pindar [i.e. John Wolcot] ... With a Copious Index. To which is prefixed Some Account of his Life. In Four Volumes |
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 | The Works of Peter Pindar [i.e. John Wolcot] |  |
MELANCHOLY.
HERMIONE.A sighing solitary form I roam;
A tear on Nature's universal smile!
Thou genius of my natal hour, whose hand
Pierces my moments with the thorns of woe,
When will the measure of my grief be full?
When will the silent asp of hopeless love
Withdraw his fang of torment from my heart?
How lately joy was mine!—but where is joy,
That cheerful pour'd a sunshine o'er my soul?
Gone! like the last, last sun, to sink in night,
Nature's last night, and gild a morn no more!
Enter CAMILLA.
My lov'd Hermione, I heard thy sigh,
And left my sleep to soften thy affliction.
Why killest thou that gentle frame with weeping?
Sorrowing, thou seemest to delight in woe,
And feed existence upon sighs and tears.
HERMIONE.
Camilla, the dread silence of the hour
Suits but too well the colour of my soul.
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And happy dreams to sooth the peaceful breast,
Pours on my wakeful eye, far diff'rent guests;
The foulest, darkest demons of despair.
Lorn, at the midnight hour, when all is hush'd,
I wander restless; sadly now I sit,
My brimfull eyes for hours both motionless,
Swimming with woe, towards the passing moon,
Who on me, as she lonely glides along,
Casts a pale beam of melancholy light,
That seems a ray of pity on my fate.
| The Works of Peter Pindar [i.e. John Wolcot] | |