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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THEY HAVE SEEN BETTER DAYS. |
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Songs, Ballads, and Other Poems | ||
THEY HAVE SEEN BETTER DAYS.
I
They have seen better days, you say,Oh, tell me when and where;
Give me the clue to steal away
The memory of their care.
There is deep feeling in the tone
Of that most touching phrase;
And sympathy has tears for one
Who has seen better days.
II
But they, in their small dwelling-place,Give no complainings vent;
Their features wear no sullen trace
Of gloomy discontent.
Most cheerful when alone, they seek
For no external rays;
And though of past days oft they speak,
Scarce call them better days.
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III
Have they endur'd neglect or wrong,And known diminish'd wealth?
Light evils; if to them belong
Love, competence, and health.
They who hang hopeless o'er the couch,
Where beauty's bloom decays,
May feel despairing thoughts approach,
And weep for better days.
Songs, Ballads, and Other Poems | ||