REMORSE: A VOICE FROM LETHE. "But your own feelings!-Even should all the rest Be hidden by the rolling waves, which hide Already many a once love-beaten breast Deep in the caverns of the deadly tide." I. BYRON. OH, think not, though oblivion's stream Hath no returning tide, Though murmurless its waters gleam, In cold and cruel pride, Its sullen wave, so darkly deep, No impress bears to tell, The secrets that but seem to sleep Beneath its icy spell! II. The Lover's-Mourner's-Poet's tears Have mingled there so long, That every drop a mem❜ry bears Of perfidy and faith forsworn- Of loving hearts asunder torn, And tarnish'd virtue's shames ! 111. Its stilly breast a mirror spreads, To break the magic string! IV. "I would forget!" 'tis vain to say, And cast upon its breast The heart that own'd affection's sway And beat to make thee blest: Its ruby stream would tinge the draught That should oblivion bring, And ere thy faithless lip had quaff'd "Twould sure repentance bring : V. Thou wouldst forget?'tis vain! 'tis vain Your broken vows to fling Upon that dark and turgid main Whose mysteries I sing; For phantom-fingers write them o'er For ever, as they fade, And mock you from its murky shore, Betrayers, and betrayed! F VI. The lip but vainly greets its wave If there it hopes to find For memory a silent grave If once it wrong'd the kind;— If once affection's fervent seal Was there in fondness set, Again 'twill through the dark wave steal And dare thee to forget! VII. Oh! hope not, then, that stream, whose deeps The spoils of feeling swell, Will hide thee in its cavern'd steeps, And leave no trace to tell Of broken faith-of hopes betrayed Of gilded moments past, That now a deep reproaching shade Upon its waters cast. FAIRY MINNIE. TO AMELIA ALICE STANBURY, AGED SIX YEARS. FAIRY MINNIE !-gentle sprite !— Wherefore quit thy elfin home ? But to make us dread thy flight, Back again, bewing'd, to roam Where the moonbeams trembling play O'er the wild thyme's scented spray, Press'd, unbent, by fairies' feet. As in mazy dance they meet To the music of some rill Murmuring from Echo's hill "Come away! come away! come !" |