Farewell, Thou Stream

1.
Farewell, thou stream that winding flows
Around Eliza's dwelling!
O Mem'ry, spare the cruel throes
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!
2.
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!
3.
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.

Farewell, You Stream


Farewell, you stream that winding flows
Around Eliza's dwelling!
O Memory, spare the cruel throes
Within my bosom swelling:
Condemned to drag a hopeless chain
And yet in secret languish,
To feel a fire in every vein
Nor dare disclose my anguish!

Love's truest wretch, unseen, unknown,
I fondly my griefs would cover:
The bursting sigh, the unconscious groan
Betray the hapless lover.
I know you dooms me to despair,
Nor will, nor can relieve me;
But, O Eliza, hear one prayer -
For pity's sake forgive me!

The music of your voice I heard,
Nor wished while it enslaved me!
I saw your eyes, yet nothing feared,
Till fears no more had saved me!
The unwary sailor thus, aghast
The wheeling torrent viewing,
Amid circling horrors sinks at last
In overwhelming ruin.