Landon in The Literary Gazette 1826/Untitled 1
Literary Gazette, 29th April, 1826, Pages 266-267
ORIGINAL POETRY.
The moon is on the silent lake
I loved so much of yore—
And, as in other days, I stand
Beside its willowed shore.
It is not changed:—the quiet wave
Glides in its beauty on;
And not a bud, and not a leaf.
Seems from the green tree gone.
Like fairy barks those lilies spread
Their white wings to the air;
Those flowers, so lovely and so frail,
Still are they floating there.
It cannot be that years have past
Since last I saw the place—
For years bring change, and here is not
Of any change a trace.
I'll fling me down on yon green bank,
And dream my dreams of old—
Drink Hope's Pactolus-draughts again
From starry waves of gold.
O no! O no! my heart's awake—
I cannot sleep again;
I know Hope's golden sands are dross—
I know Life's dreams are vain.
I would there were some sign of change
Upon the scene around:
'Tis sad to think in mine own heart
Alone that change is found.
Like birds and winds that pass away,
Our hopes and joys depart;
And Nature has no desert place
Like the lorn human heart.
For there are thousand flowers that rise
Fair from their winter tomb;
But Hopes are annuals that know
No second spring of bloom.
L. E. L.