National Lyrics, and Songs for Music/Sister, since I met thee last
SISTER! SINCE I MET THEE LAST.
Sister! since I met thee last,
O'er thy brow a change hath past,
In the softness of thine eyes,
Deep and still a shadow lies;
From thy voice there thrills a tone,
Never to thy childhood known;
Thro' thy soul a storm hath moved,
—Gentle sister, thou hast loved!
Yes! thy varying cheek hath caught
Hues too bright from troubled thought;
Far along the wandering stream,
Thou art followed by a dream;
In the woods and vallies lone
Music haunts thee not thine own:
Wherefore fall thy tears like rain?
Sister, thou hast loved in vain!
Tail me not the tale, my flower!
On my bosom pour that shower!
Tell me not of kind thoughts wasted;
Tell me not of young hopes blasted;
Wring not forth one burning word,
Let thy heart no more be stirred!
Home alone can give thee rest.
—Weep, sweet sister, on my breast!