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Ere I depart! For thee alone, for thee! May this last work, this farewell triumph be, Thou, lov'd so vainly! I would leave enshrined Something immortal of my heart and mind, That yet may speak to thee when I am gone, Shaking thine inmost bosom with a tone Of lost affection;—something that may prove What she hath been, whose melancholy love On thee was lavish'd; silent pang and tear, And fervent song, that gush'd when none were near, And dream by night, and weary thought by day, Stealing the brightness from her life away,— While thouAwake! not yet within me die, Under the burden and the agony Of this vain tenderness,—my spirit, wake! Ev'n for thy sorrowful affection's sake, Live! in thy work breathe out!—that he may yet, Feeling sad mastery there, perchance regret Thine unrequited gift.