Stanzas

No, I shall not now weep. –
E’en tears are a comfort that I scarce can bear,
So deeply do I grieve; profound despair
I will sit and savor to its bitterest drop:
And while the calm and weary hours creep,
I will ask of them nothing, – save not to stop.

No. – I will embrace the gloom
That even now falls upon my heavy heart,
Nor let my woes rain from my eyes; – if they should start,
I will but look again around the room,
Let my soul drain into the things I see,
And drink to its dregs the cup of Misery.

And if my sight should fall
Upon the letter traced by her dear hand: –
Upon, ‘I hope that you can understand,’
Or, ‘Please bear no ill will towards him at all,’
Or yet, ‘I hope we will always be friends:’ –
(Thus starts my circle of passion where hers ends),

I will but look away:
Soon enough I’ll recall rejected love, –
(When the pale, drunken moon staggers above,
And night slays the last wan vestige of the day,
And profoundest heartaches slay my hopes of sleep), –
Then I shall weep. – Then I shall weep.

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