 | Areytos or songs and ballads of the South |  |
NO, NEVER! THOUGH LOUD BE THE VOICE!
No, never—though loud be the voice that upbraids me,
And sad be the stigma that blackens my fame!
Though malice assails, and though slander o'ershades me,
And the lips that once worshipp'd, breathe nothing but blame!
While thou, all unmoved, art relying as ever,
And still keep'st thy faith as in earlier days—
My soul shall succumb to the destiny, never!
I live in thy love! I am proud in thy praise!
And sad be the stigma that blackens my fame!
Though malice assails, and though slander o'ershades me,
And the lips that once worshipp'd, breathe nothing but blame!
While thou, all unmoved, art relying as ever,
And still keep'st thy faith as in earlier days—
My soul shall succumb to the destiny, never!
I live in thy love! I am proud in thy praise!
Yet, were it not so, and wert thou not before me,
Confiding and fond, as when blessing and blest;
Did thy smile shine not still, all the past to restore me,
Bringing sunshine and calm to this desolate breast—
I know not what else, in this life, could sustain me,
Thus blacken'd by slander, thus sinking in fame;
I live, for thy bosom will never disdain me!
I love, for thy spirit has shared in my shame!
Confiding and fond, as when blessing and blest;
Did thy smile shine not still, all the past to restore me,
Bringing sunshine and calm to this desolate breast—
I know not what else, in this life, could sustain me,
Thus blacken'd by slander, thus sinking in fame;
I live, for thy bosom will never disdain me!
I love, for thy spirit has shared in my shame!
| Areytos or songs and ballads of the South | |