YES, we were happy once, and care <br />My jocund heart could ne'er surprise; <br />My treasures were, her golden hair, <br />Her ruby lips, her brilliant eyes. <br />My treasures were--alas! depart <br />Ye visions of what used to be! <br />Cursed be the heart--the cruel heart-- <br />That stole my Mary's love from me. <br /> <br />Dark are my joyless days--and thou-- <br />Dost thou too dream, and dreaming weep? <br />Or, careless of thy broken vow, <br />Unholy revels dost thou keep? <br />No, Mary, no,--we loved too well, <br />Such deep oblivion cannot be; <br />Cursed be the lips, where guile could dwell, <br />To lure thy love away from me! <br /> <br />It cannot be!--ah! haply, while <br />With wild reproach I greet thy name, <br />Thy ruby lip hath ceased to smile-- <br />Thy happy head is bowed with shame! <br />Haply, with haggard want opprest, <br />Thou weepest where no eye may see; <br />Cursed be the spoiler's cruel breast-- <br />But, oh! my Mary--heaven shield thee!<br /><br />Caroline Elizabeth Sarah Norton<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/mary-18/
