Literary Gazette, 20th May, 1826, Page 315
ORIGINAL POETRY.
Oh it is long since we have met!
And longer it will be,
Ere I will cross the waters wild,
And all for love of thee.
It is not that I hope to find
A fairer face than thine—
However fair in other eyes.
None will seem fair in mine.
It is not that I hope to find
Another love for me—
It is to say farewell to love
To say farewell to thee.
I will go forth in the wide world,
And in the tumult there,
I may drown, though I may not cure,
My spirit's secret care.
Now for the battle and the storm—
And when this may not be,
Then for the red-wine cup that crowns
The midnight revelry.
And if in future years a cloud
Shade my now brightening name,
'Tis the strife of a wounded heart—
And on thee be the blame!
For thou hast turn'd to bitterness
Thoughts that in love had birth;
There is no truth in that or thee—
There is no truth on earth !
I am too proud to sigh or kneel
At any woman's shrine:—
But 'tis beneath the lofty hill
That sweeps the lava mine.
I have past through a weary life—
Found it harsh, base, untrue;
But linger'd yet one angel hope—
The hope that dwelt with you.
And I have lived to find that hope,
Like other hopes, was vain;
And love and hope henceforth are things
I cannot feel again.
Oh it is long since last we met!
And longer it will be—
For never will I cross the waves
Again for love of thee!L. E. L.
