WELL! thou art happy, and I feel That I should thus be happy too; For still my heart regards thy weal Warmly, as it was wont to do. Thy husband's blest -- and 't will impart Some pangs to view his happier lot: But let them pass -- Oh! how my heart Would hate him, if he loved thee not! When late I saw thy favourite child, I thought my jealous heart would break; But when the unconscious infant smiled, I kiss'd it for its mother's sake. I kiss'd it, -- and repress'd my sighs Its father in its face to see; But then it had its mother's eyes, And they were all to love and me. Mary, adieu! I must away: While thou art blest I'll not repine; But near thee I can never stay; My heart would soon again be thine. I deem'd that time, I deem'd that pride Had quench'd at length my boyish flame; Nor knew, till seated by thy side, My heart in all -- save hope -- the same. Yet was I calm: I knew the time My breast would thrill before thy look; But now to tremble were a crime -- We met, -- and not a nerve was shook. I saw thee gaze upon my face, Yet meet with no confusion there: One only feeling couldst thou trace, The sullen calmness of despair. Away! away! my early dream Remembrance never must awake: Oh, where is Lethe's fabled stream? My foolish heart be still, or break. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TO HIS COY MISTRESS by ANDREW MARVELL HUGH SELWYN MAUBERLEY: 5 by EZRA POUND LAUS DEO! by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER THE OLD BURYING-GROUND by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER DEFIANT OF DEATH by EVA K. ANGLESBURG |