University of Virginia Library

UNREST.

One o'clock! and still I ponder
On the joys of yesterday;
Never lover weaker, fonder,
Sighed the weary hours away.
Ill-content with saying, singing,
All its worship o'er and o'er;
Still the heart would fain be clinging,
Round its idol, evermore!
Half in pleasure, half in sorrow,
Thinking o'er each fervent kiss,
Still I vainly strive to borrow
From the Past its buried bliss.
Now I hear her fondly sighing,
As when late we sat alone,
While the dancer's feet were flying,—
Ah! the sigh is but my own!
“Thus my darling I would smother!”
In my dreaming oft I say.
Foolish lips, that kiss each other!
Hers, alas! are far away.
On my cheek I feel the billow
Of her glowing bosom beat,—
Ah! 't is but the pulseless pillow!
Shall I curse of bless the cheat?
Dreaming, waking, I am weary.
Would that morning might appear!
Oh, 't is dreary, very dreary,
Thus to love, and not be near!