Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


TO - (3) by THOMAS MOORE

First Line: COME, TAKE THE HARP-'TIS VAIN TO MUSE
Last Line: TIS BREAKING, BUT IT STILL IS THINE!

COME, take the harp -- 'tis vain to muse
Upon the gathering ills we see;
Oh! take the harp and let me lose
All thoughts of ill in hearing thee!

Sing to me, love! -- though death were near
Thy song could make my soul forget --
Nay, nay, in pity dry that tear,
All may be well, be happy yet!

Let me but see that snowy arm
Once more upon the dear harp lie,
And I will cease to dream of harm,
Will smile at fate, while thou art nigh!

Give me that strain, of mournful touch,
We used to love long, long ago,
Before our hearts had known as much
As now, alas! they bleed to know!

Sweet notes! they tell of former peace,
Of all, that look'd so rapturous then,
Now wither'd, lost -- oh! pray thee, cease,
I cannot bear those sounds again!

Art thou, too, wretched? yes, thou art;
I see thy tears flow fast with mine --
Come, come to this devoted heart,
Tis breaking, but it still is thine!



Home: PoetryExplorer.net