Page:Landon in Literary Gazette 1824.pdf/41

40 Literary Gazette, 10th April, 1824, Page 236

LOVE IN ABSENCE. Oh, tell me not that this is life, The life that now I lead; The life that wants the light of life Is worse than death indeed! Love is life's light; and, lost that light, What star can rise on such a night?

I dread the pictures of my dreams, For, then I gaze on thee; And thou art near, and thou art all That I would have thee be. And then I startle from my sleep, And know all false, and watch and weep.

I would I were upon a bark! That bark before the wind;— I would sail o'er the sea, and leave All thoughts of thee behind:— How very vain! I could not flee The spell of passion set by Thee.