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Songs, Ballads, and Other Poems

by the late Thomas Haynes Bayly; Edited by his Widow. With A Memoir of the Author. In Two Volumes

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IN THIS FRIGID PLANET.

[_]

(French Air.)

I

In this frigid planet
Dim Love's torch appears
Though fond hope will fan it,
Soon 'tis quenched in tears.
Would there were a star,
Where we could live together,
Far from earth—too far
For jealous eyes to peep;
Where Love, true as mine,
Unkindness ne'er should wither;
Where eyes, bright as thine,
Never more should weep.

II

View that star, just risen
O'er the tranquil sea;
If it were our prison,
Oh! how blest we'd be!
From that radiant home
I'd ne'er wish to wander;
Sorrow ne'er should come
To molest us there.
Though unfeeling men
Tear fond hearts asunder;
We would triumph then
O'er each earthly snare.

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III

Some, with cold derision,
Lover's dreams condemn;
But my star-light vision
Ne'er was meant for them:
They who weep for one,
Loved in brighter hours;
They who sadly shun
Mirth—and song—and dance;
They, like me, will feel
When Life has lost its flowers;
'Tis no harm to steal