University of Virginia Library

Dark Assad from his couch arose,
Oppress'd with weight of weary woes:—
The night was pass'd by the lonely lover
In lengthen'd sighs and falling tears;—
But not for present hopes or fears;—
His fears were fled,—his hopes were over:—
One sad remembrance haunted his mind,
And though joys might come or cares depart,
Yet still this sorrow remain'd behind,
A spectre to the heart!
He look'd from his lattice on rising day,—
He sigh'd aloud and wept alone;—
And though loveliest scenes around him lay,
He look'd upon all,—and thought on none!
There verdant hill and cultured vale,
As sweet as ever western gale,
Sigh'd on in airy playfulness,
Appear'd in Nature's fairest dress:
There many a lake the green shore laves
With ripple soft of rising waves;—
And many a tuneful reed is there,
That rustles to the passing air;—
And flowers are budding, ever new,
Of fairest form and brightest hue,—
To speck the grass and glad the eye,—
To catch the dew,—the zephyr sigh,—
And o'er the green, refreshing field,
A rich variety to yield.
And could the sun his progress stay,
Oh! He would linger on his way,
To gaze on Eastern hill and vale,
Till sight decline and glory fail;—
But since he cannot rest awhile,
A warmer ray,—a kinder smile
Is beaming from his golden brow,
To light and cheer such scenes below.