The Power of Solitude/Ellen's adieu
ELLEN'S ADIEU.
Say, Henry, when thou'rt far away, Wilt thou not breathe one pensive sigh?The morning light of each new day Say, wilt thou greet with tearful eye?
When wealth and fame and beauty smile, And artless youth with witching grace,And sportive wit, and laughing wile, Shall fascinate with dimpled face:
Will Ellen's form e'er then intrude? No charm it has, no pleasing art;Her only boast is rectitude, Her only wealth a spotless heart.
Her morn of life was blithe and gay, On wings of hope her childhood flew;Soon sorrow gloomed her brightest day, And tears of early anguish drew.
Thy well formed mind could yet impart, And teach her soul the wish to live;She gave to thee a broken heart, 'Twas all sad Ellen had to give.
And now thou fliest to eastern beams, To court the wealth, that mocks thee here,Gay fancy lends her golden dreams, Ambition wipes the starting tear.
Ellen, would say, "ah doubt the scheme, "Nor anxious grasp each gilded toy;"Can gold lend friendship's eye one gleam, "Or give the mind one lasting joy?"
Ah no, she breathes the fervent prayer, And faultering bids a sad adieu,In every scene thou'rt still her care; She would, but cannot say, be true.
Yet, she will oft at night's still noon, When fancy's visions nightly flee,With pensive thought gaze on the moon, And bless the beam, that smiles on thee:
And oft her minstrel's absence tell, And hang her harp on willow high;Fond memory shall each care dispel, And check the boding, anxious sigh.