Though grief may sometimes leave the weary breast, |
And grant a respite of a moment's rest, |
She but returns with renovated power, |
And pays each moment's absence with an
hour. |
5 What images does mem'ry call to view, |
Deck'd in a smiling or a sombre hue! |
Now gay as when life's current fill'd the
heart, |
Ere yet we knew what grief it is to part; |
Now sad as when death struck the fatal blow, |
10 And bow'd us to the very earth in wo. |
The fondly loved -- the lost -- the wept appear -- |
Affection's tones still thrill upon the ear, |
And seem to ask -- "Canst thou forget, and smile, |
While in the grave we darkly sleep the while?" -- |
15 Ah, no! though grief may leave the weary breast, |
And grant the respite of a moment"s rest, |
She but returns with renovated power, |
And pays each moment"s absence with an hour. |