In vain! I never can forget, E'en as the wounded bird will seek So, lady! I would hear thee speak, But, oh! believe it not; I've tried, alas! its power to prove, But thou art not forgot. Frederick William Thomas [1811-1864] PARTING Too fair, I may not call thee mine: 1 Too dear, I may not see Those eyes with bridal beacons shine; Yet, Darling, keep for me Empty and hushed, and safe apart,- Thou wilt be happy, dear! and bless Good-by, dear heart! I go to dwell Yet, Darling, keep for me- Who wander outside in the night,— One little corner of thy light. Gerald Massey [1828–1907] A Song of Autumn 965 THE PARTING HOUR Not yet, dear love, not yet: the sun is high; Ah! bitter word "Farewell." Hark! how the birds sing sunny songs of spring! The violets fret to fragrance 'neath your feet, Sunset already! have we sat so long? Olive Custance [18 A SONG OF AUTUMN ALL through the golden weather Our lives went by together But autumn's wind uncloses The heart of all your flowers; I think, as with the roses, So hath it been with ours. Like some divided river Your ways and mine will be, For ever till the sea. And yet for one word spoken, The dream had not been broken, And love were with us yet. THE GIRL I LEFT BEHIND ME THE dames of France are fond and free, And soft the maids of Italy, And Spanish eyes are thrilling; Still, though I bask beneath their smile, For she's as fair as Shannon's side, Though many a year I sought her; She says, "My own dear love, come home, My friends are rich and many, Or else abroad with you I'll roam, A soldier stout as any; If you'll not come, nor let me go, I'll think you have resigned me," My heart nigh broke when I answered "No," To the girl I left behind me. Remember or Forget For never shall my true love brave I'll tread my native soil on; The battle's close would find me From the girl I left behind me. 967 Unknown "WHEN WE ARE PARTED" WHEN we are parted let me lie In some far corner of thy heart, Cherished by one, and one alone, When we are parted. When we are parted, keep for me The sacred stillness of the night; That hour, sweet Love, is mine by right; Let others claim the day of thee! The cold world sleeping at our feet, My spirit shall discourse with thine;- At thy heart's door I stand and beat, Hamilton Aidé [1830-1906] REMEMBER OR FORGET I SAT beside the streamlet, One little year ago: The soft rain pattered on the leaves, The April grass was wet. "Tis wiser to forget. The nightingales made vocal "Twere wisdom to forget. I stood among the gold corn, Of the love that fell from you. The streamlet now is frozen, Hamilton Aide [1830-1906] NANCY DAWSON NANCY DAWSON, Nancy Dawson, Not so very long ago Some one wronged you from sheer love, dear; Little thinking it would crush, dear, All I cherished in you so. |