Lines

WHEN the lamp is shatter'd  
The light in the dust lies dead; 
When the cloud is scatter'd  
The rainbow's glory is shed; 
When the lute is broken 5 
Sweet tones are remember'd not 
When the lips have spoken  
Loved accents are soon forgot.
 

As music and splendour 
Survive not the lamp and the lute 10 
The heart's echoes render 
No song when the spirit is mute¡ª 
No song but sad dirges  
Like the wind through a ruin'd cell  
Or the mournful surges 15 
That ring the dead seaman's knell.
 

When hearts have once mingled  
Love first leaves the well-built nest; 
The weak one is singled 
To endure what it once possest.
 20 
O Love who bewailest 
The frailty of all things here  
Why choose you the frailest 
For your cradle your home and your bier? 

Its passions will rock thee 25 
As the storms rock the ravens on high: 
Bright reason will mock thee  
Like the sun from a wintry sky.
 
From thy nest every rafter 
Will rot and thine eagle home 30 
Leave thee naked to laughter  
When leaves fall and cold winds come.
  

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