 | English melodies |  |
140
YESTERDAY.
Yesterday! how sad a fleetness
Dwells unheeded in that word;—
Tis a music, in whose sweetness
Hope is lost, as soon as heard;
'Tis a spirit link'd to sadness,—
Link'd to dreams we ne'er renew;
In the midst of life and gladness
Doth it whisper life's adieu!
All we love is ever tending
Onward to that shadowy way—
Ever blending—ever ending—
With the things of yesterday!
Dwells unheeded in that word;—
Tis a music, in whose sweetness
Hope is lost, as soon as heard;
'Tis a spirit link'd to sadness,—
Link'd to dreams we ne'er renew;
In the midst of life and gladness
Doth it whisper life's adieu!
All we love is ever tending
Onward to that shadowy way—
Ever blending—ever ending—
With the things of yesterday!
Thus, at last, the Minstrel lieth,
Mantled in his robe of fame:
Swift his parting spirit flieth—
And his life is but a name!
For a little while the lightness
Of his fancy yet is found,
For a little time the brightness
Of his passing gilds the ground:
Soon, alas! the earthly setting
Of his being fades away,
All forgotten—all forgetting—
With the things of yesterday!
Mantled in his robe of fame:
Swift his parting spirit flieth—
And his life is but a name!
141
Of his fancy yet is found,
For a little time the brightness
Of his passing gilds the ground:
Soon, alas! the earthly setting
Of his being fades away,
All forgotten—all forgetting—
With the things of yesterday!
| English melodies | |