Poems (Charlotte Allen)/Stanzas (Ye may crush the flower that the summer rears)
For works with similar titles, see Stanzas.
STANZAS.
Ye may crush the flower that the summer rears,
Or blast the rock that hath stood for years;
Ye may stem the ocean's raging breast,
Or scale the loftiest mountain's crest;
Ye may check the river's rapid flow,
Or dare the wild tornado's blow;
Ye may hush the tiger's direful yell,
Or the lion's fiery fury quell;
Ye may quench the light of passion's fire,
And lay at rest each wild desire;
But you ne'er can extinguish affection's flame,
'T will live forever, through joy and through pain.
Or blast the rock that hath stood for years;
Ye may stem the ocean's raging breast,
Or scale the loftiest mountain's crest;
Ye may check the river's rapid flow,
Or dare the wild tornado's blow;
Ye may hush the tiger's direful yell,
Or the lion's fiery fury quell;
Ye may quench the light of passion's fire,
And lay at rest each wild desire;
But you ne'er can extinguish affection's flame,
'T will live forever, through joy and through pain.
The glow of health ye may bid depart,
And sadden the stream of joy in the heart;
Ye may damp the liveliest spirit's flow,
Oppress the mind with keenest wo;
Ye may dim the lustre of the eye,
And tune the breast tosorrow's sigh;
Ye may deaden the pulse, and put to rest
The stream of joy in the feeling breast;
Ye may cause all joyous things to be
Lighter, far lighter than vanity.
All this may be done, but you ne'er can sever
The chain of affection; never, oh, never!
And sadden the stream of joy in the heart;
Ye may damp the liveliest spirit's flow,
Oppress the mind with keenest wo;
Ye may dim the lustre of the eye,
And tune the breast tosorrow's sigh;
Ye may deaden the pulse, and put to rest
The stream of joy in the feeling breast;
Ye may cause all joyous things to be
Lighter, far lighter than vanity.
All this may be done, but you ne'er can sever
The chain of affection; never, oh, never!