Classic Poem

On a Lady Slandered

Her doom is writ: her name is grown
Familiar in the common mouth;
And she who was, when all unknown,
Like a sunbeam bursting from the south,
Is overshadowed by her fate;
By others' envy, others' hate!

I loved her when her fame was clear;
I love her now her fame is dark:
Twice — thrice — a thousand times more dear
Is she, with Slander's serpent mark,
Than Beauty that did never know
Shadow, — neither shame nor woe.

Let who will admire — adore
Her whom vulgar crowds do praise;
I will love my Love the more
When she falls on evil days!
Truer, firmer will I be,
When the truth-like fail or flee.

Bird of mine! tho' rivers wide,
And wild seas between us run,
Yet I'll some day come, with pride,
And serve thee, from sun to sun;
Meantime, all my wishes flee
To thy nest beyond the sea!

Mourn not! let a brighter doom,
Breed no anguish in thy mind:
If the rose hath most perfume,
It hath still the thorn behind:
If the sun be at its height,
Think what follows, — certain night.

Murmur not! whatever ill
Cometh, am I not thy friend,
(In false times the firmer still)
Without changing, without end?
Ah! if one true friend be thine,
Dare not to repine!English