IF I were yonder wave, my dear, And thou the isle it clasps around, I would not let a foot come near My land of bliss, my fairy ground! If I were yonder conch of gold, And thou the pearl within it placed, I would not let an eye behold The sacred gem my arms embraced! If I were yonder orange-tree, And thou the blossom blooming there, I would not yield a breath of thee, To scent the most imploring air! Oh! bend not o'er the water's brink, Give not the wave that rosy sigh, Nor let its burning mirror drink The soft reflection of thine eye. That glossy hair, that glowing cheek, Upon the billows pour their beam So warmly, that my soul could seek Its Nea in the painted stream. The painted stream my chilly grave And nuptial bed at once may be, I'll wed thee in that mimic wave, And die upon the shade of thee! Behold the leafy mangrove, bending O'er the waters blue and bright, Like Nea's silky lashes, lending Shadow to her eyes of light! O my beloved! where'er I turn, Some trace of thee enchants mine eyes, In every star thy glances burn, Thy blush on every flow'ret lies. But then thy breath! -- not all the fire, That lights the lone Semenda's death, In eastern climes, could e'er respire An odour like thy dulcet breath! I pray thee, on those lips of thine To wear this rosy leaf for me, And breathe of something not divine, Since nothing human breathes of thee! All other charms of thine I meet In nature, but thy sigh alone; Then take, oh! take, though not so sweet, The breath of roses for thine own! So, while I walk the flowery grove, The bud that gives, through morning dew, The lustre of the lips I love, May seem to give their perfume too! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A NOCTURNAL REVERIE by ANNE FINCH HIS GRANGE, OR PRIVATE WEALTH by ROBERT HERRICK THE LIGHT OF STARS by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW SONNET: 151 by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE AT FLORENCE by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH |