Poems (Lewis)/Crazy Jane

by Matthew Gregory Lewis

For other versions of this work, see Crazy Jane (Lewis).

CRAZY JANE.

Stay, fair Maid!—On every feature
Why are marks of dread imprest?
Can a wretched helpless creature
Raise such terrors in your breast?
Do my frantic looks alarm you?
Trust me, Sweet, your fears are vain:
Not for kingdoms would I harm you;
Shun not then poor Crazy Jane!

Dost thou weep to see my anguish?
Mark me, and escape my woe!
When Men flatter, sigh, and languish,
Think them false;—I found them so!
For I loved.......Oh! so sincerely
None will ever love again!
Yet the Man I prized most dearly,
Broke the heart of Crazy Jane.

Gladly that young heart received him,
Which has never loved but one!
He seemed true, and I believed him;
He was false, and I undone.
Since that hour, has reason never
Held her empire in my brain:
Henry fled with him for ever
Fled the wits of Crazy Jane!

Now forlorn, and broken-hearted,
Still with frenzied thoughts beset,
Near that spot where last we parted,
Near that spot where first we met,
Thus I chaunt my love-lorn ditty,
While I sadly pace the plain;
And each passer-by in pity
Sighs—"God help thee, Crazy Jane!"—