Farewell Thou Stream

    farewell thou stream

    air—“nansie's to the greenwood gane.”

    farewell, thou stream that winding flows

    around eliza's dwelling;

    o mem'ry! spare the cruel thoes

    within my bosom swelling.

    condemn'd to drag a hopeless chain

    and yet in secret languish;

    to feel a fire in every vein,

    nor dare disclose my anguish.

    love's veriest wretch, unseen, unknown,

    i fain my griefs would cover;

    the bursting sigh, th' unweeting groan,

    betray the hapless lover.

    i know thou doom'st me to despair,

    nor wilt, nor canst relieve me;

    but, o eliza, hear one prayer—

    for pity's sake forgive me!

    the music of thy voice i heard,

    nor wist while it enslav'd me;

    i saw thine eyes, yet nothing fear'd,

    till fears no more had sav'd me:

    th' unwary sailor thus, aghast

    the wheeling torrent viewing,

    'mid circling horrors sinks at last,

    in overwhelming ruin.