Page:The Works of Lord Byron (ed. Coleridge, Prothero) - Volume 3.djvu/68

38 "'Tis comfort still," I faintly said,

"That Thyrza cannot know my pains:"

Like freedom to the time-worn slave—

A boon 'tis idle then to give—

Relenting Nature vainly gave

My life, when Thyrza ceased to live!

6. My Thyrza's pledge in better days,

When Love and Life alike were new!

How different now thou meet'st my gaze!

How tinged by time with Sorrow's hue!

The heart that gave itself with thee

Is silent—ah, were mine as still!

Though cold as e'en the dead can be,

It feels, it sickens with the chill.

7. Thou bitter pledge! thou mournful token!

Though painful, welcome to my breast!

Still, still, preserve that love unbroken,

Or break the heart to which thou'rt pressed.

Time tempers Love, but not removes,

More hallowed when its Hope is fled:

Oh! what are thousand living loves

To that which cannot quit the dead? [First published, Childe Harold, 1812 (4to).] Variants Notes