Glen Collection of printed music > Printed text > Harp of Renfrewshire

258
There was one whom she loved, though she breathed it to
none, —
For love of her soul was a part ! —
And he said he loved her ; but he left her alone,
With the worm of despair on her heart !
And oh ! with what anguish we counted, each day,
The roses that died on her cheek,
And hung o'er her form, as it faded away.
And wept for the beautiful wreck !
Yet her eye was as mild and as blue to the last,
Though shadows stole over its beam ;
And her smiles are remembered — since long they are past!-
Like the smiles we have seen in a dream !
And — it may be that fancy had woven a spell.
But — I think, though her tones were as clear.
They were somewhat more soft, and their murmurings fell.
Like a dirge, on the listening ear !
And while sorrow threw round her a holier grace,
— Though she ahvays was gentle and kind ! —
Yet I thought that the softness which stole o'er her face,
Had a softening power on her mind ! —
But, it might be her looks and her tones were more dear.
And we valued them more in decay.
As we treasure the last fading flower of the year, —
For we felt she was passing away !
She never complained, — but she loved to the last !
And the tear in her beautiful eye
Often told that her thoughts were gone back to the past.
And the youth who had left her to die ! —
But mercy came down, and the maid is at rest,
"Where the palm-tree sighs o'er her at even ;
And the dew that weeps over the turf on her breast,
Is the tear of a far-foreign heaven !