Page:The Works of Lord Byron (ed. Coleridge, Prothero) - Volume 3.djvu/59

Rh Whose every thought—but let them pass—

Thou know'st I am not what I was.

But, above all, if thou wouldst hold

Place in a heart that ne'er was cold,

By all the powers that men revere,

By all unto thy bosom dear,

Thy joys below, thy hopes above,

Speak—speak of anything but Love.

'Twere long to tell, and vain to hear,

The tale of one who scorns a tear;

And there is little in that tale

Which better bosoms would bewail.

But mine has suffered more than well

'Twould suit philosophy to tell.

I've seen my bride another's bride,—

Have seen her seated by his side,—

Have seen the infant, which she bore,

Wear the sweet smile the mother wore,

When she and I in youth have smiled,

As fond and faultless as her child;—

Have seen her eyes, in cold disdain,

Ask if I felt no secret pain;

And I have acted well my part,

And made my cheek belie my heart,

Returned the freezing glance she gave,

Yet felt the while that woman's slave;—

Have kissed, as if without design,

The babe which ought to have been mine,

And showed, alas! in each caress

Time had not made me love the less.

But let this pass—I'll whine no more,

Nor seek again an eastern shore;