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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


UNREST by JOHN GODFREY SAXE

First Line: ONE O'CLOCK! AND STILL I PONDER
Last Line: THUS TO LOVE, AND NOT BE NEAR!
Subject(s): LOVE;

ONE o'clock! and still I ponder
On the joys of yesterday;
Never lover weaker, fonder,
Sighed the weary hours away.

Ill-content with saying, singing,
All its worship o'er and o'er;
Still the heart would fain be clinging
Round its idol, evermore!

Half in pleasure, half in sorrow,
Thinking o'er each fervent kiss,
Still I vainly strive to borrow
From the Past its buried bliss.

Now I hear her fondly sighing,
As when late we sat alone,
While the dancer's feet were flying, --
Ah! the sigh is but my own!

"Thus my darling I would smother!"
In my dreaming oft I say.
Foolish lips, that kiss each other!
Hers, alas! are far away.

On my cheek I feel the billow
Of her glowing bosom beat, --
Ah! 't is but the pulseless pillow!
Shall I curse or bless the cheat?

Dreaming, waking, I am weary.
Would that morning might appear!
Oh, 't is dreary, very dreary,
Thus to love, and not be near!



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