And though we find no treasure there, O'er mountains bright, &c. Row gently here. Row gently here, my gondolier, Had heav'n but tongues to speak Now rest thee here, my gondolier, To climb yon light balcony's height, Ah! did we take for heav'n above Take day and night for woman's love, Oh, days of youth. Oh, days of youth and joy long clouded, Vainly doth hope her strain now sing me, Dim lies the way to death before me, Cold winds of time blow round my brow; Sunshine of youth that once fell o'er me, Where is your warmth, your glory now? "Tis not that then no pain could sting me; When first that smile. When first that smile, like sunshine blest my sight, Long years of love, of calm and pure delight, Ne'er did the peasant dream, ne'er dream of summer skies, Of golden fruit, and harvests springing, With fonder hope than I of those sweet eyes, And of the joy their light was bringing. Where now are all those fondly promis'd hours? Or ought that's known for grace and lightness! Short as the Persian's prayer, his prayer at close of day, Must be each vow of love's repeating; Quick let him worship beauty's precious ray, Peace to the slumberers. Peace to the slumberers! They lie on the battle plain, The dew and the summer rain Are all that weep over them! Vain was their bravery! Across the wint❜ry river- But brave hearts, once swept away, Are gone, alas! for ever! Wo to the conqueror! Our limbs shall lie as cold as theirs, When thou shalt wander. When thou shalt wander by that sweet light Yes, proud one! even thy heart may own Who'll buy my love-knots. Hymen, late, his Love-knots selling, Call'd at many a maiden's dwelling, "Who'll buy my Love-knots ? "Who'll buy my Love-knots?" Soon as that sweet cry resounded, How his baskets were surrounded! Maids, who now first dreamt of trying "Who'll buy my Love-knots? All at that sweet cry assembled, Some laugh'd, some blush'd, and some trembled. "Here are knots," said Hymen, taking Some loose flowers of Love's own making; "Here are gold ones--you may trust 'em ;". (These, of course, found ready custom.) "Come, buy my Love-knots, "Some are labell'd, 'Knots to tie-men Scarce their bargains were completed, When the nymphs all cried, “We're cheated! "See these flowers! they're drooping sadly;"This gold knot, too, ties but badly : "Who'd buy such Love-knots ? "Who'd buy such Love-knots ? "E'en this tie, with Love's name round it, All a sham-he never bound it!" |