TO A FAYRE PERSONNE UPON SHORT ACQUAINTANCE. BY JOHN WATERS.
Reading edition
I.
I may not, would not, quite forget The hours I pass'd with thee— 'T were death to say, 'I love;' and yet, Silence harder seemeth me.
II.
Ah no! I never could forget Those words of joy, from thee! They say thou lov'st another—yet How bright thy beam o'er me!
III.
They say thou art 'a sad coquette'— Yet how to doubt a smile, In which Day-dawn and Eve are met For Fraud—if this be Guile!
IV.
And then thine Eye! of morn's grey hue Kindling with beams of wit— If its deep glories prove untrue, Let all be false, like it!
V.
'Let all be false!'—How hath this thought Found life within my heart?— Is this a change thy spell hath wrought, Thy spirit could impart?
VI.
I may, I can, I must forget Those golden hours with thee: Half-lovers were we ere we met, Such could we no more be!
VII.
Forever be forgot, the day, The form, the voice, the eye— Since thou thyself art ta'en away, Take, take thy memory,
VIII.
Thy dewy fragrance from my heart; Thy Genius off my mind; Thine untold Grace, the thrill, the dart— Leave not a dream behind!
IX.
Then shall my soul—like mountain lake The tempest hath plough'd o'er— Its diamond shield reluctant take, And Heaven reflect once more!