O saw ye not fair Ines? <br /> She 's gone into the West, <br />To dazzle when the sun is down, <br /> And rob the world of rest: <br />She took our daylight with her, <br /> The smiles that we love best, <br />With morning blushes on her cheek, <br /> And pearls upon her breast. <br /> <br />O turn again, fair Ines, <br /> Before the fall of night, <br />For fear the Moon should shine alone, <br /> And stars unrivall'd bright; <br />And blessèd will the lover be <br /> That walks beneath their light, <br />And breathes the love against thy cheek <br /> I dare not even write! <br /> <br />Would I had been, fair Ines, <br /> That gallant cavalier, <br />Who rode so gaily by thy side, <br /> And whisper'd thee so near! <br />Were there no bonny dames at home, <br /> Or no true lovers here, <br />That he should cross the seas to win <br /> The dearest of the dear? <br /> <br />I saw thee, lovely Ines, <br /> Descend along the shore, <br />With bands of noble gentlemen, <br /> And banners waved before; <br />And gentle youth and maidens gay, <br /> And snowy plumes they wore: <br />It would have been a beauteous dream,— <br /> If it had been no more! <br /> <br />Alas, alas! fair Ines, <br /> She went away with song, <br />With Music waiting on her steps, <br /> And shoutings of the throng; <br />But some were sad, and felt no mirth, <br /> But only Music's wrong, <br />In sounds that sang Farewell, farewell, <br /> To her you've loved so long. <br /> <br />Farewell, farewell, fair Ines! <br /> That vessel never bore <br />So fair a lady on its deck, <br /> Nor danced so light before,— <br />Alas for pleasure on the sea, <br /> And sorrow on the shore! <br />The smile that bless'd one lover's heart <br /> Has broken many more!<br /><br />Thomas Hood<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/fair-ines/
