Poems (Temple)/The Lover's Departure

The LOVER'S DEPARTURE.

Lo! at length the Morn appearing
Comes with faintly-dawning light,
Quick I start, the summons hearing,
From the fever'd dreams of night.

Oh thou pale orb! now retreating,
Yet awhile thy progress stay!
I shall give the Morn no greeting,
For it calls me far away.

Scenes where Love and transport dwelling,
Spread their sun-shine round my heart;
Now each pulse with anguish swelling,
Sadly tells that we must part.

Hark! I hear the wheels advancing,
Wheels that bear me far away;
Adieu! ye joys once gaily dancing,
Pleasures, innocent as gay.

Adieu, thou Spire! so light and slender,
Once the beacon of delight!
Let me all my soul surrender,—
Be each sense absorb'd in sight.

Each remember'd spot surveying,
Thought shall vanish'd hours retrace,
Fancy all the past pourtraying,
Shall recal each touching grace.

Mark the feath'ry flakes descending,
Hear the patt'ring of the rain!
Raving winds, their fury blending,
Strive to desolate the plain.

Yet how few the moments number'd,
Since this dark scene an Eden bloom'd!
At Love's command the tempest slumber'd,
Winter the garb of Spring assum'd.

Swiftly speeds the dart of sorrow,
Swiftly Joy's rich buds decay,
Tho' blushing now,—yet on the morrow,
All their brightness fades away.

But Hope shall lift her golden pinion,
And glad my soul with melting strains;
Joy shall resume his gay dominion,
Shall beam once more on happier plains.

Adieu! Adieu then lovely Exile—
Down foolish heart! these throbs restrain;
On other shores I'll hail thy smile,
In brighter climes we meet again.