20 



THE RETROSPECT. 



I HAVE not heard thy name for years; 



Thy memory ere thyself is dead ; 

 And even I forget the tears 



That once for thy loved sake were shed. 



There was a time when thou didst seem 

 The light and breath of life to me 



When e'en in thought I could not dream 

 That less than mine thou ere couldst be : 



Yet now it is a chance that brought 



Thy image to my heart again ; 

 A single flower recalled the thought r 



Why is it still so full of pain ? 



The jasmine, round the casement twined, 

 Caught mine eye in the pale moonlight; 



It broke my dream, and called to mind 

 Another dream another night. 



As then, I by the casement leant ; 



As then, the silver moonlight shone; 

 But not, as then, another bent 



Beside me I am now alone. 



The sea is now between us twain, 

 As wide a gulph between each heart ; 



Never can either have again 



An influence on the other's part. 



Our paths are different ; perchance mine 

 May seem the sunniest of the two : 



The lute, which once was only thine, 

 Has other aim, and higher view. 



My song has now a wider scope 



Than when its first tones breathed thy name; 

 My heart has done with Love and hope 



Turned to another idol Fame. 



'Tis but one destiny ; one dream 



Succeeds another like a wave 

 Following its bubbles till their gleam 



Is lost and ended in the grave. 



Why am I sorrowful ? 'Tis not 



One thought of thee has brought the tear : 

 In sooth thou art so much forgot, 



I do not even wish thee here. 



