Lines to Miss Caroline E --n on hearing her see the glee of "Away with melancholy"

Lines to Miss Caroline E --n on hearing her see the glee of "Away with melancholy"

Oh! bid the breast where sorrow's dart
Hath lightly press'd its barb of pain,
To wake to joy and know the art
Each care corroding to restrain.

But mock me not with lightsome song,
For well thou know'st this heart of mine,
Can ill disperse its woes that throng
By lay I breathe or e'en thine.

There was a time when music's tone,
Its pure and hallow'd transport brought
When still my breast had pleasure known,
If once thy silv'ry voice I'd sought.

But cease, for aye those dulcet strains.
Since fate hath reft, and sweets are brief,
Or breathe to hearts when gladness reigns,
And leave me to the "joy of grief."

Arion

2:10, p. 78

1828.05.30