Page:Landon in Literary Gazette 1824.pdf/54



How would my inmost heart have shrank, If then I could have known, Pass a few years, and I should stand Beside that lake alone!

That I—so cherished, loved, carest— Must learn to live apart, Bear with unkindness, wrong, and all That breaks a woman's heart.

I should have died; and would that then It had been mine to die! I should have been but as the lute, Broken by its first sigh.—

I sought the world, and for a while Mine was a splendid dream— Of lighted halls, of palaces. Of music, bloom, and beam.

My soul was sick, my ear grew pal'ed; I felt that pleasure’s gem Could not be found in courtly scenes, The heart was not with them.

But I had yet the worst to learn: There was one dream that still Held empire o'er my soul, that seemed Above all chance of ill.

I thought it—as I thought the stars All earthly change above; When that I say that dream was false, I scarce need say—'twas love.

And thus could change avail to rend Affection's early band; Ah! she who builds her hope on love, Has built indeed on sand.

But see—the wind has swept a leaf From yonder willow tree. And it is sailing down the lake; Let that the emblem be.

As well you might hope that slight leaf, With its white flower, would sail In safety down, as trust to love;— Love's bark is yet more frail.

That flower will sink, and will not mark A trace on wave or wind; But when love disappears, it leaves A broken heart behind. L. E. L.