THERE is, they say, a secret well, In Ardennes' forest grey, Whose waters boast a numbing spell, That memory must obey. Who tastes the rill so cool and calm In passion's wild distress, Their breasts imbibe the sullen balm Of deep forgetfulness. And many a maid has sought the grove, And bow'd beside the wave; But few have borne to lose the love That wore them to the grave. No! by these tears, whose ceaseless smart My reason chides in vain; By all the secret of a heart That never told its pain; By all the walks that once were dear, Beneath the greenwood bough; By all the songs that soothed his ear Who will not listen now; By every dream of hope gone by That haunts my slumber yet, -- A love-sick heart may long to die, But never to forget! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE GREAT HUNT by CARL SANDBURG SONNET TO GEORGE SAND: 1. A RECOGNITION by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING FOR 'OUR LADY OF THE ROCKS' (BY LEONARDO DA VINCI) by DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI IN THE PINK' by SIEGFRIED SASSOON BLESSING THE LIGHTS by ALTER ABELSON |