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The Poetry of Robert Burns

Edited by William Ernest Henley and Thomas F. Henderson
Burns, Robert (1759-1796)
  
[epigraph]
  
[dedication]

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Volume I
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KILMARNOCK 1786
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EPITAPHS
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ADDED, EDINBURGH 1787
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ADDED, EDINBURGH 1793
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Volume II
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Volume III
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VOLUME IV

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235

FAREWELL, THOU STREAM

I

Farewell, thou stream that winding flows
Around Eliza's dwelling!
O Mem'ry, spare the cruel throes
Within my bosom swelling:
Condemn'd to drag a hopeless chain
And yet in secret languish,
To feel a fire in every vein
Nor dare disclose my anguish!

II

Love's veriest wretch, unseen, unknown,
I fain my griefs would cover:
The bursting sigh, th'unweeting groan
Betray the hapless lover.
I know thou doom'st me to despair,
Nor wilt, nor canst relieve me;
But, O Eliza, hear one prayer—
For pity's sake forgive me!

III

The music of thy voice I heard,
Nor wist while it enslav'd me!
I saw thine eyes, yet nothing fear'd,
Till fears no more had sav'd me!
236

Th'unwary sailor thus, aghast
The wheeling torrent viewing,
'Mid circling horrors sinks at last
In overwhelming ruin.
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