Fugitive Poetry. 1600–1878/In Praise of Melancholy

In Praise of Melancholy.

Hence, all ye vain delights,
As short as are the nights
Wherein ye spend your folly!
There's nought in this life sweet,
If man were wise to see't,
But only melancholy;
Oh, sweetest melancholy!

Welcome, folded arms and fixed eyes,
A sigh that, piercing, mortifies,
A look that's fastened to the ground,
A tongue chained up without a sound!

Fountain-heads and pathless groves,—
Places which pale passion loves!
Moonlight walks when all the fowls
Are warmly housed save hats and owls!
A midnight bell, a parting groan!
These are the sounds we feed upon;
Then stretch our bones in a still gloomy valley;
Nothing's so dainty sweet as lovely melancholy!