The Departed

The Departed

Where's the snow - the summer's snow -

On the lovely lilly flower?

Where the hues the sunset shed

O'er the rose's crimson hour?

Where's the gold - the bright pure gold -

O'er the young laburnum flung?

And the fragrant sighs that breathed

Whence the hyacinth drooping hung?

    Gone, gone - they all are gone.

Maiden, lovelier than the spring,

Is thy bloom departed too?

Has thy cheek forgot its rose,

Or thine eye its April blue?

Where are thy sweet bursts of song?

Where the wreaths that bound thy hair?

Where the thousand prisoner curls?

And the sunny smiles are - Where?

    Gone, gone - they all are gone.

Youth, where is thy open brow?

What has quell'd thine eagle eye?

Where the freshness of thy cheek?

And the dark hair's raven dye?

Where's thy crimson banner now?

Where's thine eager step and sword?

Where's thine hour of dreamless sleep?

Where frank jest and careless word?

    Gone, gone - they all are gone.

Where's the lighted hall, and where

All that made its midnight gay?

Where's the music of the harp?

And the minstrel's nightly lay.

Where's the graceful saraband?

Where the lamps of starry light?

Where the vases of bright flowers?

Where the blushes yet more bright?

    Gone, gone - they are all gone.

Where are those fair dreams that made

Life so beautiful at first?

Where are the many fantasies

That young Hope so fondly nurst:

Love with motto like a knight,

Faithful even to the tomb!

Fortune following the wish;

Pleasure with a folded plume?

    Gone, gone - they all are gone.

Oh! mine own heart, where are they -

Visions of thine earlier hour,

When thy young hope's colours were

Like those on the morning flower;

Where's the trusting confidence

Of affection deep and true?

And the spirits sunshine like.

Which o'er all their gladness threw?

    Gone, gone - they all are gone.

L.E.L.

2:26, p. 197

1828.09.19

From the Amulet for 1828