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.