Poems (Holford)/Good Bye to the Muse
GOOD BYE TO THE MUSE.
Fare thee well, my dear Muse! I have lov'd thee, 'tis true,And our severing costs me a sigh,But Time, Chance, and Destiny, must have their due,And 'tis sooner or later-Good bye!
Good bye to Ambition, to pleasure, to pelf,Good bye to our air-founded views,Good bye to our follies-Good bye to ourself,Good bye to the once-cherish'd Muse!
Yet linger a moment! for ere thou departMethinks I would commune awhile, On moments which thou hast made dear to my heartWith thy converse, thy song, and thy smile;
For I bear not a heart, all relentless and stern,Without once looking back which can sever,And which scorns that the high-seated spirit should yearnOver joys which are parting for ever;
I bear not a heart, which can sullenly say,"Because I have found thee deceiving,Past illusions, forgotten in truths of to-day,Farewel! without thinking or grieving!"
I have sigh'd o'er the rose which but blushes to fade,O'er the shadow which darkens our views,Over ev'ry frail beauty which bloom'd and decay'd,And shall I not sigh for my Muse!
Yet they say, and I fear there is truth in the tale,In sickness, in age, or in sorrow,The fair-promising Muse will her votary fail,And a hint from expediency borrow;
Then 'tis better to tear the fresh laurel, I ween,While it blossoms and flaunts on my brow,Than to wait till cold winter has wither'd its green,And to watch while it perishes slow;
And 'tis better to yield while unbiass'd and free,Than to wait till a blessing is taken;So I take a proud leave gentle Music of thee,That by thee I may ne'er be forsaken!