The tears I shed

The tears I shed must ever fall,

I mourn not for an absent swain,

For thought may past delights recall,

And parted lovers meet again.

I weep not for the silent dead,

Their toils are past, their sorrows o'er,

And those they lov'd their steps shall tread,

And death shall join to part no more.

But bitter, bitter are the tears

Of her who flighted love bewails;

No hope her dreary prospect chears,

No pleasing melancholy hails.

Her's are the pangs of wounded pride,

Of blasted hope, of wither'd joy:

The prop she lean'd on pierc'd her side,

The flame she fed burns to destroy.

No cold approach, no alter'd mien,

Just what would make suspicion start;

No pause the dire extremes between,

He made me blest, and broke my heart!

From hope, the wretched's anchor, torn,

Neglected, and neglecting all,

Friendless, forsaken, and forlorn,

The tears I shed must ever fall.