 | [Poems by Payne in] John Howard Payne ... his life and writings |  |
MARY.
“Ah me! how sweet is Love itself possest,
When but Love's shadows are so rich in joy!”
Shakspeare.
When but Love's shadows are so rich in joy!”
Shakspeare.
If Reason could the heart control,
If Memory from itself could fly,
I'd quench the fire that burns my soul,
Nor drink the poison from her eye!
If Memory from itself could fly,
I'd quench the fire that burns my soul,
Nor drink the poison from her eye!
How often have I vainly sought
To guard against Love's madd'ning sway,—
But flashing deep into my heart,
One glance has swept resolves away!
To guard against Love's madd'ning sway,—
But flashing deep into my heart,
One glance has swept resolves away!
Since Reason, then, can ne'er assuage
Presumptuous reveries like mine,
Rage on, my soul! still madly rage,
And be a fancied Mary thine!
Presumptuous reveries like mine,
Rage on, my soul! still madly rage,
And be a fancied Mary thine!
Long may the fairy vision spread
Its soothing spell around my mind,
That joy, itself forever fled,
May leave the phantom still behind!
Its soothing spell around my mind,
That joy, itself forever fled,
May leave the phantom still behind!
And when, at length, this life shall fade,
And earthly scenes recede in gloom,
My Mary's fondly cherished shade
Shall light my passage to the tomb!
And earthly scenes recede in gloom,
My Mary's fondly cherished shade
Shall light my passage to the tomb!
| [Poems by Payne in] John Howard Payne ... his life and writings | |