An Elegy on Parting

It was a sad, ay 'twas a sad farewell,

I still afresh the pangs of parting feel;

Against my breast my heart impatient beat,

And in deep sighs bemoan'd its cruel fate;

Thus with the object of my love to part,

My life! my joy! 'twould rend a rocky heart.

Where'er I turn myself, where'er I go,

I meet the image of my lovely foe;

With witching charms the phantom still appears,

And with her wanton smiles insults my tears;

Still haunts the places where we used to walk,

And where with raptures oft I heard her talk:

Those scenes I now with deepest sorrow view,

And sighing bid to all delight adieu.

While I my head upon this turf recline,

Officious sun, in vain on me you shine;

In vain unto the smiling fields I hie;

In vain the flowery meads salute my eye;

In vain the cheerful birds and shepherds sing,

And with their carols make the valleys ring;

Yea, all the pleasure that the country yield

Can't me from sorrow for her absence shield;

With divine pleasure books which one inspire,

Yea, books themselves I do not now admire.

But hark! methinks some pitying power I hear,

This welcome message whisper in my ear:

‘Forget thy groundless griefs, dejected swain,

You and the nymph you love shall meet again;

No more your muse shall sing such mournful lays,

But bounteous heaven and your kind mistress praise.’