Irish Melodies/Take back the virgin page

by Thomas Moore

TAKE BACK THE VIRGIN PAGE.

Written on returning a Blank Book.

I.

Take back the virgin page,
White and unwritten still;
Some hand, more calm and sage,
The leaf must fill.
Thoughts come, as pure as light,
Pure as even you require;
But oh! each word I write
Love turns to fire.

II.

Yet let me keep the book;
Oft shall my heart renew,
When on its leaves I look,
Dear thoughts of you!
Like you, 'tis fair and bright;
Like you, too bright and fair
To let wild passion write
One wrong wish there!

III.

Haply, when from those eyes
Far, far away I roam,
Should calmer thoughts arise
Tow'rds you and home;
Fancy may trace some line,
Worthy those eyes to meet;
Thoughts that not burn, but shine
Pure, calm and sweet!

IV.

And, as the records are,
Which wandering seamen keep,
Led by their hidden star
Through the cold deep;
So may the words I write
Tell thro' what storms I stray,
You still the unseen light,
Guiding my way!

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