III. I remember, I remember Where I was used to swing, And thought the air must rush as fresh To swallows on the wing; My spirit flew in feathers then, That is so heavy now, And summer pools could hardly cool The fever on my brow! IV. I remember, I remember The fir trees dark and high ; I used to think their slender tops Were close against the sky: It was a childish ignorance, But now 'tis little joy To know I'm farther off from heav'n Than when I was a boy. BALLAD. SIGH on sad heart, for Love's eclipse, And Beauty's fairest queen, Tho' 'tis not for my peasant lips To soil her name between : A king might lay his sceptre down, The brow should wear a golden crown The diamonds glancing in her hair, Might bid such humble hopes beware Yet looking once, I look'd too long, And if my love is sin, Death follows on the heels of wrong, And kills the crime within. Her dress seem'd wove of lily leaves, It was so pure and fine, O lofty wears, and lowly weaves, And homely hose must step apart, But may he wear my love at heart That wins her lily hand! Alas! there's far from russet frize To silks and satin gowns, But I doubt if God made like degrees, In courtly hearts and clowns. My father wrong'd a maiden's mirth, And all that's lordly of my birth, 'Tis vain to weep, 'tis vain to sigh, 'Tis vain this idle speech, For where her happy pearls do lie, My tears may never reach; Yet when I'm gone, e'en lofty pride His love was nobly born and died, Tho' all the rest was mean! Such love as mine to tell, Yet had I words, I dare not speak, So, Lady, fare thee well; I will not wish thy better state Was one of low degree, But I must weep that partial fate Made such a churl of me. THE WATER LADY. ALAS, the moon should ever beam To show what man should never see I saw a maiden on a stream, I staid awhile, to see her throw Her tresses back, that all beset The fair horizon of her brow With clouds of jet. I staid a little while to view Her cheek, that wore in place of red The bloom of water, tender blue, Daintily spread. ! |