What friend for thee, howe'er inclined, For friendship every fool may share? In time forbear; amidst the throng No more so base a thing be seen; No more so idly pass along: Be something, any thing, but-mean. 1808. LINES INSCRIBED UPON A CUP FORMED FROM A SKULL. START not-nor deem my spirit fled : In me behold the only skull, I lived, I lov'd, I quaffed like thee: The worm hath fouler lips than thine. Better to hold the sparkling grape, Than nurse the earth-worm's slimy brood; The drink of gods, than reptile's food. Where once my wit, perchance, hath shone, And when, alas! our brains are gone, Quaff while thou canst: another race, Newstead Abbey, 1808. WELL! THOU ART HAPPY.* WELL! thou art happy, and I feel Written after he had been invited to dine at the residence of Mary Chaworth. the object of his early affection, then married to Mr Musters. Thy husband's blest-and 'twill impart I thought my jealous heart would break; I kiss'd it, and repress'd my sighs, Mary, adieu! I must away; While thou art blest I'll not repine; My heart would soon again be thine. I deem'd that time, I deem'd that pride My heart in all,-save hope,-the same. Yet was I calm: I knew the time My breast would thrill before thy look; But now to tremble were a crime- I saw thee gaze upon my face, Yet meet with no confusion there: Away! away! my early dream Remembrance never must awake: November 2, 1808. INSCRIPTION ON THE MONUMENT OF A WHEN some proud son of man returns to earth, Not what he was, but what he should have been; While man, vain insect! hopes to be forgiven, Who knows thee well must quit thee with disgust, Thy love is lust, thy friendship all a cheat, By nature vile, ennobled but by name, Each kindred brute might bid thee blush for shame. Newstead Abbey, November 30, 1808. TO A LADY, (MRS MUSTERS.) ON BEING ASKED MY REASON FOR QUITTING ENGLAND IN THE SPRING WHEN Man, expell'd from Eden's bowers, But, wandering on through distant climes, And found in busier scenes relief. Thus, lady! will it be with me, And I must view thy charms no more; For, while I linger near to thee, I sigh for all I knew before. In flight I shall be surely wise, I cannot view my paradise Without a wish to enter there.. December 2, 1808. REMIND ME NOT, REMIND ME NOT. REMIND me not, remind me not, Of those beloved, those vanish'd hours, Hours that may never be forgot, Till time unnerves our vital powers, Can I forget-canst thou forget, How quick thy fluttering heart did move? Oh! by my soul, I see thee yet, And then those pensive eyes would close, I dreamt last night our love return'd, For eyes that ne'er like thine could bear. Then tell me not, remind me not, Of hours which, though for ever gone, Till thou and I shall be forgot, And senseless as the mouldering stone THERE WAS A TIME, I NEED NOT NAME. THERE was a time, I need not name, And from that hour when first thy tongue None, none hath sunk so deep as this- Transient as every faithless kiss, But transient in thy breast alone. And yet my heart some solace knew, Remembrance of the days that were. To me 'tis doubly sweet to find Remembrance of that love remain. Thou hast been dearly, solely mine. AND WILT THOU WEEP WHEN I AM LOW? AND wilt thou weep when I am low? My heart is sad, my hopes are gone, My blood runs coldly through my breast; Wilt sigh above my place of rest. And yet, methinks, a gleam of peace Doth through my cloud of anguish shine, And for awhile my sorrows cease, To know thy heart hath felt for mine. Oh lady blessed be that tear It falls for one who cannot weep: Sweet lady! once my heart was warm Yet wilt thou weep when I am low? FILL THE GOBLET AGAIN. A SONG. FILL the goblet again! for I never before Felt the glow which now gladdens my heart to its core ; round, In the goblet alone no deception is found. I have tried in its turn all that life can supply; I have bask'd in the beam of a dark rolling eye; I have lov'd!--who has not ?-bt what heart can declare, That pleasure existed while passion was there? |