Classic Poem

O sad farewell!
And who shall tell
The tides of grief that in our bosoms swell?

Yes ! we must part,
And grief's worst smart
Asks — Has he — has he a forgetful heart?

F ORGETFUL ? No!
For that were woe,
Peace to o'erwhelm — and hope to overthrow.

O WHY oppress,
O why distress
My soul — by breathing of — forgetfulness?

'T IS a light thought,
By coldness taught;
A foolish fancy — that betokeneth nought.

T HERE'S many an eye
Asks wond'ringly,
Where is their wonted gladness fled — and why?

W HERE is it gone,
Thou blessed one!
Flown o'er those hills — beyond those forests flown.

I SCATTER'D tares —
I gather'd cares,
And all the noisome weeds the fetid morass bears.

T HE earth whirls on:
I stand alone,
Stretch out my hand in vain — and vainly grieve and groan.