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Yet why thus linger o’er a dream, 
That my fond spirit bound, 
But left my soul no cheering beam, 
To light the darkness round; 
Well, be it so! — I may not speak 
What stirs within my heart; 
The fettered spirit soon will break, 
Through all things, and depart; 
Yet ’t would be sweet again to bless 
The object of past tenderness! 
It may not be! I cannot ask 
Earth’s happiness for one 
Who hath imposed the bitterest task 
That woman’s pride has done. 
I ’ll curse not, though I may not bless 
The idol of my youth, 
