TO THYRZA. 1. ONE struggle more, and I am free. From pangs that rend my heart in twain ; One last long sigh to love and thee, Then back to busy life again. It suits me well to mingle now With things that never pleased before: Though every joy is fled below, What future grief can touch me more? 2. Then bring me wine, the banquet bring; It was not thus in days more dear, 3. In vain my lyre would lightly breathe! Though gay companions o'er the bowl Though pleasure fires the maddening soul, 4. On many a lone and lovely night When sailing o'er the Ægean wave, "Now Thyrza gazes on that moon—' Alas, it gleam'd upon her grave! 5. When stretch'd on fever's sleepless bed, And sickness shrunk my throbbing veins, " "Tis comfort still," I faintly said, "That Thyrza cannot know my pains:" Like freedom to the time-worn slave, My life, when Thyrza ceased to live! 6. My Thyrza's pledge in better days, 7. Thou bitter pledge! thou mournful token! To that which cannot quit the dead? EUTHANASIA. 1. WHEN Time, or soon or late, shall bring The dreamless sleep that lulls the dead, Oblivion! may thy languid wing Wave gently o'er my dying bed! 2. No band of friends or heirs be there, To feel, or feign, decorous woe. 3. But silent let me sink to Earth, 4. Yet Love, if Love in such an hour In her who lives and him who dies. 5. "Twere sweet, my Psyche! to the last Thy features still serene to see: Forgetful of its struggles past, E'en Pain itself should smile on thee. 6. But vain the wish-for Beauty still Will shrink, as shrinks the ebbing breath; And woman's tears, produced at will, Deceive in life, unman in death. 7. Then lonely be my latest hour, Without regret, without a groan! For thousands Death hath ceased to lower, And pain been transient or unknown. |