Classic Poem

Cease, cease thy song! it tells me much
Of those whom this sad heart held dear,
'Tis heavenly sweet!—but ah! not such
As thou should'st breathe or I must hear.

There was a time!—but no 'twere vain—
'Twere folly to confess it all—
Thou must not breathe those notes again
I cannot bear what they recall!

Once they were loved, and even yet
Deep in my inmost soul they dwell:
I cannot if I would forget
The dear, bewildering, dangerous spell.

But let them not be breathed by Thee!
Let me not hear thy witching tone
Lest in my looks my eyes you see
All I have felt but dare not own!