Queen Berengaria's Courtesy, and Other Poems By the Lady E. Stuart Wortley. In Three Vols |
 | I, II, III. |
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SPEAK TO ME. |
 | Queen Berengaria's Courtesy, and Other Poems |  |
32
SPEAK TO ME.
Speak to me, though with words unkind!
Say any thing,—but speak!
This vague, dull sorrow, undefined,
My fainting heart will break.
Say any thing,—but speak!
This vague, dull sorrow, undefined,
My fainting heart will break.
A change of suffering should appear
A happy change to me.
Give me regret instead of fear,
For doubt give certainty!
A happy change to me.
Give me regret instead of fear,
For doubt give certainty!
A change of suffering in mine eyes
Were as a blessed thing.
My very heart within me dies,
Thus piecemeal perishing.
Were as a blessed thing.
My very heart within me dies,
Thus piecemeal perishing.
33
It pineth, ever pineth thus,
Oppressed with one dim dream:
This misery is monotonous
In its dull, deep extreme.
Oppressed with one dim dream:
This misery is monotonous
In its dull, deep extreme.
Speak to me!—though from thy loved lips
Ungentle words may flow;
They cannot darken more the eclipse
Of my profoundest woe!
Ungentle words may flow;
They cannot darken more the eclipse
Of my profoundest woe!
And they may vary, it may be,
My thoughts' dull tenour so,
And chase the cold monotony,
Though not the crushing woe!
My thoughts' dull tenour so,
And chase the cold monotony,
Though not the crushing woe!
Others may hope for happiness,
And peace and pleasure fair,
While I one faultering wish express—
A difference of despair!
And peace and pleasure fair,
While I one faultering wish express—
A difference of despair!
34
Grant me but only this to know,
(Beneath pain's weight, still bent,)
A new variety of woe,
And I will be content!
(Beneath pain's weight, still bent,)
A new variety of woe,
And I will be content!
Take off this burthen from my mind,
This burthen from my heart:
Methinks I were to aught resigned,
With this could I but part.
This burthen from my heart:
Methinks I were to aught resigned,
With this could I but part.
Aye! though a heavier burthen 'twere
Then in its stead imposed,
Fresh wounds unmurmuring would I bear,
So that the old were closed.
Then in its stead imposed,
Fresh wounds unmurmuring would I bear,
So that the old were closed.
Fresh wounds, though deadlier, deeper still,
I should far better bear;
So that I gained my wish and will,—
A difference of despair!
I should far better bear;
So that I gained my wish and will,—
A difference of despair!
35
I am so sickened of this strife,
So weary of this woe,
Still lengthened with my lengthening life,
While both together flow;
So weary of this woe,
Still lengthened with my lengthening life,
While both together flow;
All other sufferings sure would seem
Like dear delights to me,
Thus wearied of my wasting dream,
And its monotony.
Like dear delights to me,
Thus wearied of my wasting dream,
And its monotony.
Then speak to me!—though still unkind!—
Say any thing,—but speak!
Let me some cruel difference find,
My heart at last may break!
Say any thing,—but speak!
Let me some cruel difference find,
My heart at last may break!
Give me, for this dejection deep,
A torture quick and keen;
My soul in sternest sorrow steep,
But change that sorrow's scene.
A torture quick and keen;
My soul in sternest sorrow steep,
But change that sorrow's scene.
36
Speak to me!—more and more unkind,
If 'tis thy will become;
But change this madness of the mind,
Decree a different doom.
If 'tis thy will become;
But change this madness of the mind,
Decree a different doom.
A change of suffering were to me
A blessing bright and fair;
Grant me some stern variety;—
Some difference in despair!
A blessing bright and fair;
Grant me some stern variety;—
Some difference in despair!
| Queen Berengaria's Courtesy, and Other Poems | |