If the free Switzer yet bestrides alone Whose sons must bow them at a monarch's motion, Full of the magic of exploded science Still one great clime, in full and free defiance, 130 140 150 May strike to those whose red right hands have bought STANZAS TO THE PO RIVER, that rollest by the ancient walls, 160 What if thy deep and ample stream should be What do I say-a mirror of my heart? Are not thy waters sweeping, dark, and strong? 10 Such as my feelings were and are, thou art; And such as thou art were my passions long. Time may have somewhat tamed them,-not for ever; Thou overflow'st thy banks, and not for aye Thy bosom overboils, congenial river ! Thy floods subside, and mine have sunk away: But left long wrecks behind, and now again, And I to loving one I should not love. The current I behold will sweep beneath Her native walls, and murmur at her feet; 20 She will look on thee,-I have look'd on thee, Her bright eyes will be imaged in thy stream, Mine cannot witness, even in a dream, The wave that bears my tears returns no more: ? 30 But that which keepeth us apart is not Distance, nor depth of wave, nor space of earth, But the distraction of a various lot, As various as the climates of our birth. A stranger loves the lady of the land, Born far beyond the mountains, but his blood Is all meridian, as if never fann'd By the black wind that chills the polar flood. My blood is all meridian; were it not, I had not left my clime, nor should I be, In spite of tortures ne'er to be forgot, A slave again of love,-at least of thee. "Tis vain to struggle let me perish young Live as I lived, and love as I have loved; To dust if I return, from dust I sprung, And then, at least, my heart can ne'er be moved. April, 1819. SONNET TO THE PRINCE REGENT, ON THE REPEAL OF LORD EDWARD FITZGERALD'S FORFEITURE To be the father of the fatherless, 40 50 To stretch the hand from the throne's height, and raise His offspring, who expired in other days To make thy sire's sway by a kingdom less,- Envy into unutterable praise. Dismiss thy guard, and trust thee to such traits, Thy sovereignty would grow but more complete : A despot thou, and yet thy people free, And by the heart, not hand, enslaving us. Bologna, August 12, 1819. STANZAS COULD Love for ever And Time's endeavour With this could measure; Love plumes his wing; Then for this reason Let's love a season; But let that season be only Spring. When lovers parted A few years older, For whom they sigh! When link'd together, In every weather, They pluck Love's feather From out his wing He'll stay for ever, But sadly shiver Without his plumage, when past the Spring. Like chiefs of Faction, His life is action A formal paction ΤΟ 20 30 That curbs his reign, Quits with disdain. He must move on- Love brooks not a degraded throne. Wait not, fond lover! As from a dream. While each bewailing The other's failing, All hideous seem- All passion blight: Then part in friendship and bid good-night. So shall Affection To recollection The dear connexion Bring back with joy : You had not waited Till, tired or hated, 40 50 60 70 |