farewell thou stream（1 / 1）

farewell thou stream

air—“nansie's to the greenwood gane.”

farewell, thou stream that winding flows

around eliza's dwelling;

o mem'ry! spare the cruel thoes

within my bosom swelling.

condemn'd to drag a hopeless chain

and yet in secret languish;

to feel a fire in every vein,

nor dare disclose my anguish.

love's veriest wretch, unseen, unknown,

i fain my griefs would cover;

the bursting sigh, th' unweeting groan,

betray the hapless lover.

i know thou doom'st me to despair,

nor wilt, nor canst relieve me;

but, o eliza, hear one prayer—

for pity's sake forgive me!

the music of thy voice i heard,

nor wist while it enslav'd me;

i saw thine eyes, yet nothing fear'd,

till fears no more had sav'd me:

th' unwary sailor thus, aghast

the wheeling torrent viewing,

'mid circling horrors sinks at last,

in overwhelming ruin.