It was a sad, ay 'twas a sad farewell, <br />I still afresh the pangs of parting feel; <br />Against my breast my heart impatient beat, <br />And in deep sighs bemoan'd its cruel fate; <br />Thus with the object of my love to part, <br />My life! my joy! 'twould rend a rocky heart. <br />Where'er I turn myself, where'er I go, <br />I meet the image of my lovely foe; <br />With witching charms the phantom still appears, <br />And with her wanton smiles insults my tears; <br />Still haunts the places where we used to walk, <br />And where with raptures oft I heard her talk: <br />Those scenes I now with deepest sorrow view, <br />And sighing bid to all delight adieu. <br />While I my head upon this turf recline, <br />Officious sun, in vain on me you shine; <br />In vain unto the smiling fields I hie; <br />In vain the flowery meads salute my eye; <br />In vain the cheerful birds and shepherds sing, <br />And with their carols make the valleys ring; <br />Yea, all the pleasure that the country yield <br />Can't me from sorrow for her absence shield; <br />With divine pleasure books which one inspire, <br />Yea, books themselves I do not now admire. <br />But hark! methinks some pitying power I hear, <br />This welcome message whisper in my ear: <br />‘Forget thy groundless griefs, dejected swain, <br />You and the nymph you love shall meet again; <br />No more your muse shall sing such mournful lays, <br />But bounteous heaven and your kind mistress praise.’<br /><br />James Thomson<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/an-elegy-on-parting/
