Queen Berengaria's Courtesy, and Other Poems By the Lady E. Stuart Wortley. In Three Vols |
 | I, II, III. |
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OH! LET ME BREATHE A LIGHTER AIR! |
 | Queen Berengaria's Courtesy, and Other Poems |  |
OH! LET ME BREATHE A LIGHTER AIR!
Oh! let me breathe a lighter air
But a little while at least—
For heaviness, and gloom, and care,
E'en like mountains load the breast!
But a little while at least—
For heaviness, and gloom, and care,
E'en like mountains load the breast!
286
Where shall I wander to be free?
Where the woodlands echoing ring
To the glad birds' merry minstrelsy—
And to many a joyous thing!
Where the woodlands echoing ring
To the glad birds' merry minstrelsy—
And to many a joyous thing!
Or where the ocean shines and rolls—
To the sun—the strong wind's breath,
Where the stars look down, like blessed souls,
On the troubled scenes beneath!
To the sun—the strong wind's breath,
Where the stars look down, like blessed souls,
On the troubled scenes beneath!
Or where the ruins of the Past,
In their gloom impressive stand,
And Time's dread, mighty shadow cast
O'er the sunshine of the land!
In their gloom impressive stand,
And Time's dread, mighty shadow cast
O'er the sunshine of the land!
Where shall I wander to be free?
Let me even now depart!
'Twere vain—since bound, deep Soul, to thee,
And chained to thee—quick Heart!
Let me even now depart!
'Twere vain—since bound, deep Soul, to thee,
And chained to thee—quick Heart!
287
For freedom, gladness, or repose—
To me their names sound sweet;
But till my weary eyes shall close
These hope I not to greet!
To me their names sound sweet;
But till my weary eyes shall close
These hope I not to greet!
| Queen Berengaria's Courtesy, and Other Poems | |