HOW is it that thou art so sad When others are so gay? Thou hast been weeping—nay, thou hast! Thine eyes the truth betray. "And if I may not choose but weep Is not my grief mine own? No heart was heavier yet for tears— O leave me, friend, alone!" Come join this once the merry band, They call aloud for thee, And mourn no more for what is lost, But let the past go free. "O, little know ye in your mirth, What wrings my heart so deep! I have not lost the idol yet, For which I sigh and weep." Then rouse thee and take heart! thy blood Is young and full of fire; Youth should have hope and might to win, And wear its best desire. "O, never may I hope to gain What dwells from me so far; It stands as high, it looks as bright, As yonder burning star." Why, who would seek to woo the stars Down from their glorious sphere? Enough it is to worship them, When nights are calm and clear. "Oh, I look up and worship too— My star it shines by day— Then let me weep the livelong night The while it is away." | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...STANZAS ON THE DEATH OF A FRIEND by REGINALD HEBER VAN ELSEN by FREDERICK GEORGE SCOTT SMOKE IN WINTER by HENRY DAVID THOREAU THE DROWNED HIDALGO DREAMS by WILLIAM ROSE BENET THE COVERT by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN |