It is that settled, ceaseless gloom What Exile from himself can flee? To zones, though more and more remote, Still, still pursues, where'er I be, The blight of life — the demon thought. Yet others wrapt in pleasure seem, Through many a clime 't is mine to go, Whate'er betides, I 've known the worst. What is that worst? Nay do not ask In pity from the search forbear; Smile on nor venture to unmask Man's heart, and view the Hell that 's there. "ONE STRUGGLE MORE." "ONE struggle more," and I am free One last long sigh to love and thee, 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? Then bring me wine, the banquet bring; That smiles with all, and weeps with none. Thou 'rt nothing, all are nothing now. In vain my lyre would lightly breathe! Though gay companions o'er the bowl Though pleasure fires the maddening soul, The heart the heart is lonely still! On many a lone and lovely night When stretch'd on fever's sleepless bed, "That Thyrza cannot know my pains: My life, when Thyrza ceased to live! My Thyrza's pledge in better days, Thou bitter pledge! thou mournful token! To that which cannot quit the dead? EUTHANASIA. WHEN Time, or soon or late, shall bring Wave gently o'er my dying bed! No band of friends or heirs be there, But silent let me sink to earth, With no officious mourners near: I would not mar one hour of mirth, Nor startle friendship with a fear. Yet Love, if Love in such an hour In her who lives and him who dies. 'T were sweet, my Psyche! to the last Thy features still serene to see: Forgetful of its struggles past, E'en Pain itself should smile on thee. But vain the wish for Beauty still Will shrink, as shrinks the ebbing breath; And woman's tears, produced at will, Deceive in life, unman in death. Then lonely be my latest hour, Without regret, without a groan; For thousands Death hath ceased to lower, "Ay, but to die, and go," alas! Ere born to life and living woe! Count o'er the joys thine hours have seen, AND THOU ART DEAD. "Heu, quanto minus est cum reliquis versari quam tui meminisse!' AND thou art dead, as young and fair As aught of mortal birth; And form so soft, and charms so rare, Though earth received them in her bed, There is an eye which could not brook I will not ask where thou liest low, Nor gaze upon the spot; |