On —— 'Think not of it, sweet one, so'

ON ——

Published with the date 1817 by Lord Houghton in Life, Letters and Literary Remains, but slightly varied in form when reprinted in the Aldine edition.

Think not of it, sweet one, so;—

      Give it not a tear;

Sigh thou mayst, and bid it go

      Any—any where.

Do not look so sad, sweet one,—

      Sad and fadingly;

Shed one drop, then it is gone,

      Oh! 't was born to die!

Still so pale? then dearest weep;

      Weep, I 'll count the tears,

For each will I invent a bliss

      For thee in after years.

Brighter has it left thine eyes

      Than a sunny rill;

And thy whispering melodies

      Are more tender still.

Yet—as all things mourn awhile

      At fleeting blisses;

E'en let us too; but be our dirge

      A dirge of kisses.