Poems (Nealds)/Irregular Stanzas

by Adeline Martha Nealds

IRREGULAR STANZAS.

Yes! I have ever lov'd thee dearly,
 Than fame or riches priz'd thee more;
Once I thought thou lov'dst sincerely,
 But now that dream of bliss is o'er.

False and cruel I have found thee,
 Though to love me thou hast sworn;
And when dangers did surround me,
 All for thee I've gladly borne.

Oft when night in sable sadness
 Cloth'd the hill, the grove, and plain,
Loving thee almost to madness,
 Heedless of the wind and rain;

I have wander'd to yon mountain,
 From the mountain to the grove,
Then beside yon glassy fountain,
 Listen'd for thy coming, love!

And when at last thou cam'st, my lover,
 And on the green turf lightly sprung,
I found I could not chide my rover,
 As on his neck I fondly hung.

But all thy vows to me are broken,
 And thou hast sought a richer bride;
Thy name must ne'er by me be spoken;
 My sorrow must be hush'd by pride.

Before the altar thou hast plighted
 The faith which once thou gav'st to me;
And though my hopes on earth are blighted,
 I'll pray for thy felicity.

And seek not thou again to waken
 Thoughts which should now for ever sleep;
For though by thee betray'd, forsaken,
 Thy image I will fondly keep.

Then go—and though we part for ever,
 On thee my fondest thoughts will dwell,
For life from this sad heart must sever,
 Ere I forget thee—fare thee well!