FAREWELL.
To break one's word is pleasure-fraught,
To do one's duty gives a smart;
While man, alas! will promise nought,
That is repugnant to his heart.
Using some magic strain of yore,
Thou lurest him, when scarcely calm,
On to sweet folly's fragile bark once more,
Renewing, doubling chance of harm.
Why seek to hide thyself from me?
Fly not my sight—be open then?
Known late or early it must be,
And here thou hast thy word again.
My duty is fulfilled to-day.
No longer will I guard thee from surprise;
But, oh, forgive the friend who from thee turns away,
And to himself for refuge flies!
WELCOME AND DEPARTURE.
[Another of the love-songs addressed to Frederica.]
To horse!—away, o'er hill and steep!
Into the saddle blithe I sprung;
The eve was cradling earth to sleep,
And night upon the mountain hung.
With robes of mist around him set.
The oak like some huge giant stood,
While with its hundred eyes of jet,
Peered darkness from the tangled wood.
