REGRET

 ("Oui, le bonheur bien vite a passé.") 
 
 {Bk. V. ii., February, 1821.} 


 Yes, Happiness hath left me soon behind! 
 Alas! we all pursue its steps! and when 
 We've sunk to rest within its arms entwined, 
 Like the Phoenician virgin, wake, and find 
 Ourselves alone again. 
 
 Then, through the distant future's boundless space, 
 We seek the lost companion of our days: 
 "Return, return!" we cry, and lo, apace 
 Pleasure appears! but not to fill the place 
 Of that we mourn always. 
 
 I, should unhallowed Pleasure woo me now, 
 Will to the wanton sorc'ress say, "Begone! 
 Respect the cypress on my mournful brow, 
 Lost Happiness hath left regret—but thou 
 Leavest remorse, alone." 
 
 Yet, haply lest I check the mounting fire, 
 O friends, that in your revelry appears! 
 With you I'll breathe the air which ye respire, 
 And, smiling, hide my melancholy lyre 
 When it is wet with tears. 
 
 Each in his secret heart perchance doth own 
 Some fond regret 'neath passing smiles concealed;— 
 Sufferers alike together and alone 
 Are we; with many a grief to others known, 
 How many unrevealed! 
 
 Alas! for natural tears and simple pains, 
 For tender recollections, cherished long, 
 For guileless griefs, which no compunction stains, 
 We blush; as if we wore these earthly chains 
 Only for sport and song! 
 
 Yes, my blest hours have fled without a trace: 
 In vain I strove their parting to delay; 
 Brightly they beamed, then left a cheerless space, 
 Like an o'erclouded smile, that in the face 
 Lightens, and fades away. 
 
 Fraser's Magazine 


 

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