154
poems.
Untaught by flattery, unsustain'd by bliss,
Breath'd to the spirits' ear,—her tale was this:—
I cannot think the love of years;
The hope unquench'd by many tears,
Which Time's dark wing has ne'er obscur'd,
Nor other love one day allur'd;
Nor absence taught to e'er resign,
Nor all that sorrow could combine;
Nor doubt, nor coldness, could estrange,
Nor pride could mar, or break, or change;
I cannot think such love will rest
A sunless stream in this true breast;
Some power of the mind discerns
The fragrance in true friendship's urns:
And thou must know that none to thee
Return so true, unchang'd, as me.
The gentle whisper ne'er departs,
Repeating Time shall join our hearts;
And I to all may proudly prove
The truth of chaste and changeless love.
Breath'd to the spirits' ear,—her tale was this:—
I cannot think the love of years;
The hope unquench'd by many tears,
Which Time's dark wing has ne'er obscur'd,
Nor other love one day allur'd;
Nor absence taught to e'er resign,
Nor all that sorrow could combine;
Nor doubt, nor coldness, could estrange,
Nor pride could mar, or break, or change;
I cannot think such love will rest
A sunless stream in this true breast;
Some power of the mind discerns
The fragrance in true friendship's urns:
And thou must know that none to thee
Return so true, unchang'd, as me.
The gentle whisper ne'er departs,
Repeating Time shall join our hearts;
And I to all may proudly prove
The truth of chaste and changeless love.
LINES.
From cruel scorn protect me, Lord,
And give me wisdom, grace, and power;
Oh let me not offend in word,
But live to praise thee every hour.
And give me wisdom, grace, and power;
Oh let me not offend in word,
But live to praise thee every hour.
