TELL ME, LOVE, when I rove o'er some far distant plain, <br />Shall I cherish the passion that dwells in my breast? <br />Or will ABSENCE subdue the keen rigours of pain, <br />And the swift wing of TIME bring the balsam of rest? <br /> <br />Shall the image of HIM I was born to adore, <br />Inshrin'd in my bosom my idol still prove? <br />Or seduced by caprice shall fine feeling no more, <br />With the incense of TRUTH gem the altar of LOVE? <br /> <br />When I view the deep tint of the dew-dropping Rose, <br />Where the bee sits enamour'd its nectar to sip; <br />Then, ah say, will not memory fondly disclose <br />The softer vermilion that glow'd on HIS lip? <br /> <br />Will the SUN when he rolls in his chariot of fire, <br />So dazzle my mind with the glare of his rays, <br />That my senses one moment shall cease to admire <br />The more perfect refulgence that beam'd in HIS lays? <br /> <br />When the shadows of twilight steal over the plain, <br />And the NIGHTINGALE pours its lorn plaint in the grove, <br />Ah! will not the fondness that thrills thro' the strain, <br />Then recall to my mind HIS dear accents of Love! <br /> <br />When I gaze on the STARS that bespangle the sky, <br />Ah! will not their mildness some pity inspire; <br />Like the soul-touching softness that beam'd in HIS eye, <br />When the tear of REGRET chill'd the flame of DESIRE? <br /> <br />Then spare, thou dear Urchin, thou soother of pain, <br />Oh! spare the sweet PICTURE engrav'd on my heart; <br />As a record of LOVE let it ever remain; <br />My bosom thy tablet thy pencil A DART.<br /><br />Mary Darby Robinson<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/stanzas-to-love/
