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.