ON night's secrecy relying, Silently I breathe my woes; From the haunts of mortals flying, Where the cup of pleasure flows. Down my cheeks run tears all burning, Silently, unceasingly; But my bosom's fiery yearning Quench'd by tears can never be. When a laughing urchin, gaily Many a merry game I play'd; In life's sunshine basking daily, Knowing nought of grief or shade. For a garden of enjoyment Was the world I then lived in, Tending flowers my sole employment, Roses, violets, jessamine. By the brook's side, on the meadow, Sweetly mused I in those days; Now I see a pale thin shadow, When upon the brook I gaze. Pale and thin my grief hath made me, Since mine eyes upon @3her@1 fell; Secret sorrows now pervade me, Wonderful and hard to tell. Deep within my heart I cherish'd Angel forms of peace and love, Which have fled, their short joys perish'd, To their starry home above. Ghastly shadows rise unbidden, Black night round mine eyes is thrown; In my trembling breast is hidden A sad whisp'ring voice unknown. Unknown sorrows, unknown anguish Toss me wildly to and fro, And I pine away and languish, Tortured by an unknown glow. But the cause why I am lying Rack'd by fiery torments now, -- Why from very grief I'm dying, -- Love, behold! -- The cause art thou! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...WHISPERS OF IMMORTALITY by THOMAS STEARNS ELIOT WHAT SHALL IT PROFIT? by WILLIAM DEAN HOWELLS ON HEARING A LITTLE MUSIC-BOX by JAMES HENRY LEIGH HUNT ON FIRST LOOKING INTO CHAPMAN'S HOMER by JOHN KEATS THE ICE CAGE by JAMES METHVEN BALLANTYNE |