Farewell! since vain is all my care,
Far, in some desert rude, I'll hide my weakness, my despair:
And, 'midst my solitude, I'll pray, that, should another move thee,
He may as fondly, truly love thee.
Adieu, bright eyes, that were my heaven!
Adieu, soft cheek, where summer blooms! Adieu, fair form, earth's pattern given,
Which Love inhabits and illumes! Your rays have fallen but coldly on me:
One far less fond, perchance, had won ye!
From the French of CLEMENT MAROT.
Translation of LOUISE STUART COSTELLO.
The spinner twisted her slender thread
As she sat and spun:
"The earth and the heavens are mine," she said,
"And the moon and sun;
Into my web the sunlight goes,
And the breath of May,
And the crimson life of the new-blown rose
That was born to-day."
The spinner sang in the hush of noon
And her song was low:
"Ah, morning, you pass away too soon,
You are swift to go.
My heart o'erflows like a brimming cup
With its hopes and fears.
Love, come and drink the sweetness up
Ere it turn to tears."
The spinner looked at the falling sun:
"Is it time to rest?
My hands are weary,—my work is done,
I have wrought my best;
I have spun and woven with patient eyes
And with fingers fleet.
Lo! where the toil of a lifetime lies
In a winding-sheet!"
MARY AINGE DE VERE (Madeline Bridges).
TAKE, O, TAKE THOSE LIPS AWAY.*
Take, O, take those lips away,
That so sweetly were forsworn; And those eyes, like break of day,
Lights that do mislead the morn; But my kisses bring again,
Seals of love, but sealed in vain.