Poems

Chapter 122: LINES TO ANNETTE.

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About This Book

A varied collection of lyrical and occasional poems encompassing light social verse, pastoral descriptions, travel pieces gathered from earlier fugitive publication, and personal elegies. Pieces range from tranquil nature scenes and grotto meditations to expressions of romantic longing and formal dedications; a prominent elegy mourns a beloved brother and traces grief and memory. The preface frames the poems as modest divertissements written across youth and maturity, and some material derives from the author's tours. The tone alternates between playful, reflective, and mournful, favoring accessible meters and conventional poetic imagery rather than experimental forms.

LINES TO ANNETTE.

Canst thou, Annette, thy lover see?
    His trembling love unfolded hear?
    And mark the while th’ impassion’d tear,
Th’ impassion’d tear of agony?

Adown his anxious features steal,
Nor then one burst of pity feel?
But, as bereav’d of ev’ry sense,
Look on with cold indifference.
Go, then, Annette, in all thy charms,
Go bless some gayer, happier, arms;
Go, rest secure, thy fear give o’er,
These eyes shall follow thee no more;
And never shall these lips impart
One thought of all that rends my heart.

Yet, since will burst the frequent sigh,
    And since the tear will ever fall,
From thee and from the world I’ll fly;
    Deserts shall hide, shall silence, all.