THE LAMENT, OCCASIONED BY THE UNFORTUNATE ISSUE OF A FRIEND'S AMOUR. Alas! how oft does Goodness wound itself! I. O THOU pale orb, that silent shines, HOME. With woe I nightly vigils keep, II. I joyless view thy rays adorn Ah! must the agonizing thrill For ever bar returning peace! III. No idly-feign'd poetic pains, My sad, love-lorn lamentings claim; IV. Encircl'd in her clasping arms, How have the raptur'd moments flown! How have I wish'd for fortune's charms, For her dear sake, and her's alone! And must I think it! is she gone, My secret heart's exulting boast? And does she heedless hear my groan? And is she ever, ever lost? V. Oh! can she bear so base a heart, The plighted husband of her youth! VI, Ye winged hours that o'er us past, That That breast, how dreary now, and void, VII. The morn that warns th' approaching day, Awakes me up to toil and woe: I see the hours in long array, That I must suffer, lingering, slow. Full many a pang, and many a throe, Keen recollection's direful train, Must wring my soul, ere Phoebus, low, Shall kiss the distant, western main. VIII. And when my nightly couch I try, Reigns haggard-wild, in sore affright: IX. O! thou bright queen, who o'er th' expanse Now highest reign'st, with boundless sway! Oft has thy silent-marking glance Observ'd us, fondly-wand'ring, stray! The time, unheeded, sped away, While love's luxurious pulse beat high, Beneath thy silver-gleaming ray, To mark the mutual-kindling eye. X. Oh! scenes in strong remembrance set! Scenes, if in stupor I forget, Again I feel, again I burn! From ev'ry joy and pleasure torn, DESPONDENCY, |