Poems by Amelia Opie

All Poems Original Poems Translations

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Song "Low hung the dark clouds"

LOW hung the dark clouds on Plinlimmon's tall peak,

And slowly, yet surely, the winter drew near;

When Ellen, sweet Ellen, a tear on her cheek,

Exclaimed as we parted, "In May I'll be here."

How swiftly I ran up the mountain's steep height,

To catch the last glimpse of an object so dear!

And, when I no longer could keep her in sight,

I thought on her promise,...."In May I'll be here."

Amelia Opie

Song "YES though we've loved so long"

YES ....though we've loved so long, so well,

Imperious duty bids us part;

But though thy breast with anguish swell,

A pang more lasting tears my heart.

My grief is dumb,....loquacious thine,

The mournful hoard I sacred keep;

Thou seekest crowds, alone I pine;

My eyes are dry, but thine can weep.

Amelia Opie

Lines On The Place De La Concorde At Paris,

Originally called the Place de Louis Seize,--next the Place de la

Revolution, where the perpetual guillotine stood.

PROUD Seine, along thy winding tide

Fair smiles yon plain expanding wide,

And, deckt with art and nature's pride,

Seems formed for jocund revelry.

Scene, formed the eye of taste to please!

Amelia Opie

Song To A Russian Air

WAS it for this I dearly loved thee?....

But since at length I know thy heart,

And learn no real passion moved thee,

Go, Henry, go; this hour we part.

But do not think, past love forgetting,

That I thy foe can ever be;

My blighted hopes howe'er regretting,

I still shall pray for bliss to thee.

Amelia Opie

Sonnet On The Approach Of Autumn

FAREWEL gay Summer! now the changing wind

That Autumn brings commands thee to retreat;

It fades the roses which thy temples bind,

And the green sandals which adorn thy feet.

Now flies with thee the walk at eventide,

That favouring hour to rapt enthusiasts dear;

When most they love to seek the mountain side,

And mark the pomp of twilight hastening near.

Amelia Opie

Song "You ask why these mountains"

YOU ask why these mountains delight me no more,

And why lovely Clwyd's attractions are o'er;

Ah! have you not heard, then, the cause of my pain?

The pride of fair Clwyd, the boast of the plain,

We never, no never, shall gaze on again!

What though from her coldness keen anguish I felt,

And vainly, to move her, in agony knelt;

Yet could I restore her, I'd never complain,

Amelia Opie

Song "Where dost thou bide"

WHERE dost thou bide, blessed soul of my love!

Is ether thy dwelling, O whisper me where!

Rapt in remembrance, while lonely I rove,

I gaze on bright clouds, and I fancy thee there.

Or to thy bower when musing I go,

I think, 't is thy voice that I hear in the breeze;

Softly it seems to speak peace to my woe,

And life once again for a moment can please.

Amelia Opie

Song "While many a fond"

WHILE many a fond and blooming maid

Attempts thy heart to gain;

And, by thy fatal smile betrayed,

Thinks not she strives in vain:

While in those eyes of tender blue

They answering passion see,

And in thy sweet expression view

The charm that conquered me:....

Amelia Opie

Lines On Hearing, Three Or Four Years Ago, That Constantinople Was Swallowed Up By An Earthquake;

A Report, though false, at that time generally believed.

FALLEN are thy towers, Byzantium! towers that stood

Before the Turk's dread fury, when he came,

The crescent sparkling amidst Christian blood,

And to the reeking den of Moloch turned

Sophia's holy fane! Where, where are now,

Imperial city, the late proud remains

Of thy brave founder's greatness, when he clothed

Amelia Opie

To Henry

SUPPRESS that cruel doubt, dear youth!

That starting tear, that sigh reprove;

Why dost thou wrong thine Emma's truth,

And think that aught can change my love?

Though of the world's vain selfish smile

Some adverse influence now bereave thee,

By fondness I'll thy cares beguile,

Though friends desert, I'll never leave thee.

Amelia Opie

Lines Written At Norwich On The First News Of Peace

What means that wild and joyful cry?

Why do yon crowds in mean attire

Throw thus their ragged arms on high?

In want what can such joy inspire?

And why on every face I meet

Now beams a smile, now drops a tear?

Like longloved friends, lo! strangers greet, . . . .

Each to his fellow man seems dear.

Amelia Opie

Ode, Written On The Opening Of The Last Campaign

Spring! thy impatient bloom restrain,

Nor wake so soon thy genial pow'r,

For, deeds of death must hail thy reign,

And clouds of fate around thee low'r.

Alas! not all thy store of charms

For patriot hearts can comfort find,

Or lull to peace the dread alarms

Which rack the friends of human kind.

Amelia Opie