Poems (Welby)/Breathe Not a Sigh

by Amelia Welby

BREATHE NOT A SIGH WHEN WE ARE PARTING.

Breathe not a sigh when we are parting—
    'T is vain to sigh:
Nor let a single tear be starting
    In thy soft eye.

I know 't is sad for hearts like ours,
    So warm and true,
To pine for loving smiles, as flowers
    Languish for dew.

Yet I shall have sweet thoughts to cheer me
    When thou art gone,
For, in my dreams, will linger near me
    The absent one.

And, as those dreams at pensive even
    Steal over me,
I'll lift my melting heart to heaven
    In prayer for thee.

Through the deep gloom that darkens o'er thee,
    The star of fame
Shines like a beacon light before thee—
    Go! win a name.

And then if thou shouldst woo another
    To be thy bride,
Although my thoughts I cannot smother,
    I will not chide.

But should'st thou hear that grief is paling
    My young cheek's bloom,
That Death my slender form is veiling
    For the dark tomb—

Then let thy lip be softly sighing
    Like a low lute,
Breathing its music o'er the dying
    For sweet lips mute.

And when these hands thou 'st clasped so often
    Are cold and chill,
And this warm heart no tone can soften
    To love's sweet thrill—

Then, though light airy forms assemble
    Where thine will be,
I know thy heart will softly tremble
    Still true to me.