Poems Chiefly Written in Retirement, By John Thelwall; With Memoirs of the Life of the Author. Second Edition |
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The HARP on the WILLOW.
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The HARP on the WILLOW.
On being importuned, by a Lady, at Birmingham, for a Song of my own composing. May 15, 1800.
IN Youth's vernal season, Hope's dawn brightly glowing,
To each object around some new beauty bestowing,
Awak'd in my bosom Love's delicate thrill.—Oh!
I twin'd the gay myrtle, nor dreamt of the willow.
To each object around some new beauty bestowing,
Awak'd in my bosom Love's delicate thrill.—Oh!
I twin'd the gay myrtle, nor dreamt of the willow.
To the maid of my heart my fond vows then repeating,
Her heart to my vows, in sweet sympathy, beating,
We join'd in the song oft by bower, or by rill.—Oh!
We pluck'd the sweet rose, nor e'er dreamt of the willow.
Her heart to my vows, in sweet sympathy, beating,
We join'd in the song oft by bower, or by rill.—Oh!
We pluck'd the sweet rose, nor e'er dreamt of the willow.
But Time, on all bliss that remorseless encroaches,
Has clouded my noon, and my twilight approaches;
Of many a woe I have felt the keen thrill.—Oh!
My voice is untun'd, and my harp on the willow!
Has clouded my noon, and my twilight approaches;
Of many a woe I have felt the keen thrill.—Oh!
My voice is untun'd, and my harp on the willow!
In exile I wander, from friendships divided;
Ingratitude's shaft thro' my bosom has grided;
And, while lonely I loiter by grove or by rill—Oh!
My love is far off, and my harp on the willow!
Ingratitude's shaft thro' my bosom has grided;
And, while lonely I loiter by grove or by rill—Oh!
My love is far off, and my harp on the willow!
Farewell ye gay strains, then, ye hopes brightly glowing!
To the scenes of my youth once such beauty bestowing.
My fancy no more with such visions must thrill.—Oh!
The rose and the myrtle are chang'd for the willow.
To the scenes of my youth once such beauty bestowing.
My fancy no more with such visions must thrill.—Oh!
The rose and the myrtle are chang'd for the willow.
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