Forgive thee!-yes-when ev'ry cord <br />Which binds my soul to earth, is broken; <br />When scarce I hear the whisper'd word, <br />By gentlest tongues around me, spoken. <br /> <br />Forgive thee!-yes-thy once-lov'd name, <br />Shall mingle with my faltering breath, <br />When, fainter still, this languid frame <br />Shall bend, before the touch of death. <br /> <br />Forgive thee!-yes-when paler still <br />This cold and fading brow shall be, <br />And o'er my heart the latest chill <br />Comes on, of mortal agony. <br /> <br />Forgive thee!-yes-but rest awhile <br />'Till mem'ry of the past hath perish'd; <br />'Till from my mind that voice, that smile, <br />Have pass'd, as though they ne'er were cherish'd. <br /> <br />Come, when each hope is rais'd to heav'n, <br />Which wither'd in the world's cold shade; <br />And thou-e'en thou-shalt be forgiv'n <br />The wretchedness which thou hast made.<br /><br />Eliza Acton<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/forgive-thee-yes/
