Queen Berengaria's Courtesy, and Other Poems By the Lady E. Stuart Wortley. In Three Vols |
 | I, II, III. |
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AWAY THEN TO THE FESTAL SCENE. |
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 | Queen Berengaria's Courtesy, and Other Poems |  |
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AWAY THEN TO THE FESTAL SCENE.
Away then to the Festal Scene,
Be the garlands plucked and wreathed,
Be the light words conned, the gay smiles worn,
So may thought's keen sword be sheathed!
Be the garlands plucked and wreathed,
Be the light words conned, the gay smiles worn,
So may thought's keen sword be sheathed!
Away then to the Festal Scene,
Where the joyous throngs are met,
There are two lessons I would learn—
To hope—and to forget!
Where the joyous throngs are met,
There are two lessons I would learn—
To hope—and to forget!
To hope—if but for breathless peace,
And to forget stern pain—
These lessons I would fain, fain learn,
Again and oft again!
And to forget stern pain—
These lessons I would fain, fain learn,
Again and oft again!
122
I do not ask for happiness,
I know not what it means,
And I doubt not 'tis a stranger too,
To those gay hurrying scenes.
I know not what it means,
And I doubt not 'tis a stranger too,
To those gay hurrying scenes.
Oh! still to me so oft, so long
By restless sorrows torn,
Rich happiness a jewel seems,
Too costly to be worn!
By restless sorrows torn,
Rich happiness a jewel seems,
Too costly to be worn!
Methinks I evermore should fear,
Lest Time, dread thief, should come
And snatch it from my fond embrace,
And seal my hapless doom.
Lest Time, dread thief, should come
And snatch it from my fond embrace,
And seal my hapless doom.
Oh! unto me so oft, so long
By doubts and sufferings torn,
Rich happiness a jewel seems,
Too costly to be worn!
By doubts and sufferings torn,
Rich happiness a jewel seems,
Too costly to be worn!
123
But pleasure brings a little flower,
A little fragile flower,
And I will bind it on my heart,
In her own smiling bower.
A little fragile flower,
And I will bind it on my heart,
In her own smiling bower.
Not over-precious to the Soul,
Not fraught with wealth's excess,
It may not tempt the Spoiler's touch,
Like thee, bright Happiness!
Not fraught with wealth's excess,
It may not tempt the Spoiler's touch,
Like thee, bright Happiness!
| Queen Berengaria's Courtesy, and Other Poems | |