THOUGH sorrow long has worn my heart; Though every day I've counted o'er Has brought a new and quickening smart To wounds that rankled fresh before; Though in my earliest life bereft Of many a link by nature tied; Though hope deceived, and pleasure left; Though friends betray'd, and foes belied; I still had hopes -- for hope will stay After the sunset of delight; So like the star which ushers day, We scarce can think it heralds night! I hoped that, after all its strife, My weary heart at length should rest, And, fainting from the waves of life, Find harbour in a brother's breast. That brother's breast was warm with truth Was bright with honour's purest ray; He was the dearest, gentlest youth -- Oh! why then was he torn away? He should have stay'd, have linger'd here, To calm his Julia's every woe; He should have chased each bitter tear, And not have caused those tears to flow. We saw his youthful soul expand In blooms of genius, nursed by taste; While Science, with a fostering hand, Upon his brow her chaplet placed. We saw his gradual opening mind Enrich'd by all the graces dear; Enlighten'd, social, and refined, In friendship firm, in love sincere. Such was the youth we loved so well; Such were the hopes that fate denied -- We loved, but, ah! we could not tell How deep, how dearly, till he died! Close as the fondest links could strain, Twined with my very heart he grew; And by that fate which breaks the chain, The heart is almost broken too! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...AFTER AUGHRIM by ARTHUR GERALD GEOGHEGAN EMBLEMS OF LOVE: 8. BE QUICK AND SURE by PHILIP AYRES UNCROWNED by ALFRED GOLDSWORTHY BAILEY THE HWOMESTEAD by WILLIAM BARNES SONG, FR. THE LOVER'S PROGRESS by FRANCIS BEAUMONT |