The Poetical Works of Robert Burns/Farewell thou Stream
FAREWELL, THOU STREAM.
TUNE—'NANCY'S TO THE GREENWOOD GANE.'
Farewell, thou stream that winding flowsAround Eliza's dwelling!O Mem'ry! spare the cruel throesWithin my bosom swelling:Condemn'd to drag a hopeless chain,And yet in secret languish,To feel a fire in ev'ry vein,Nor dare disclose my anguish.
Love's veriest wretch, unseen, unknown,I fain my griefs would cover:The bursting sigh, th' unweeting groan,Betray the hapless lover.I know thou doom'st me to despair,Nor wilt nor canst relieve me;But oh, Eliza, hear one prayer,For pity's sake forgive me!
The music of thy voice I heard,Nor wist while it enslav'd me;I saw thine eyes, yet nothing fear'd,Till fears no more had sav'd me:Th' unwary sailor thus aghast,The wheeling torrent viewing,'Mid circling horrors sinks at lastIn overwhelming ruin.