But he, who through life's dreary way Must pass, when heav'n is veiled in wrath, Will long lament the vanished ray That scattered gladness o'er his path. It suits me well to mingle now With things that never pleased before: Though every joy is fled below, What future grief can touch me more? 2. Then bring me wine, the banquet bring; Man was not formed to live alone: I'll be that light unmeaning thing That smiles with all, and weeps with none. It was not thus in days more dear, It never would have been, but thou Hast fled, and left me lonely here; Thou'rt nothing, all are nothing now. 3. In vain my lyre would lightly breathe! The smile that sorrow fain would wear But mocks the woe that lurks beneath, Like roses o'er a sepulchre. Though gay companions o'er the bowl Dispel awhile the sense of ill; Though pleasure fires the madd'ning soul, The heart-the heart is lonely still! 4. On many a lone and lovely night It soothed to gaze upon the sky; For then I deemed the heav'nly light Shone sweetly on thy pensive eye : And oft I thought at Cynthia's noon, "Now Thyrza gazes on that moon Alas, it gleamed upon her grave! 5. When stretched on fever's sleepless bed, And sickness shrunk my throbbing veins, ""Tis comfort still," I faintly said, "That Thyrza cannot know my pains :" Like freedom to the time-worn slave, A boon 'tis idle then to give, Relenting Nature vainly gave My life, when Thyrza ceased to live! |