The Complete Poems of Sir Thomas Moore
Chapter 88 : WHEN FIRST THAT SMILE.(VENETIAN AIR.) When first that smile, like suns.h.i.+ne, blest m

WHEN FIRST THAT SMILE.

(VENETIAN AIR.)

When first that smile, like suns.h.i.+ne, blest my sight, Oh what a vision then came o'er me!

Long years of love, of calm and pure delight, Seemed in that smile to pa.s.s before me.

Ne'er did the peasant dream of summer skies, Of golden fruit and harvests springing, With fonder hope than I of those sweet eyes, And of the joy their light was bringing.

Where now are all those fondly-promised hours?

Ah! woman's faith is like her brightness-- Fading as fast as rainbows or day-flowers, Or aught that's known for grace and lightness.

Short as the Persian's prayer, at close of day, Should be each vow of Love's repeating; Quick let him wors.h.i.+p Beauty's precious ray-- Even while he kneels, that ray is fleeting!

PEACE TO THE SLUMBERERS!

(CATALONIAN AIR.)

Peace to the slumberers!

They lie on the battle-plain.

With no shroud to cover them; The dew and the summer rain Are all that weep over them.

Peace to the slumberers!

Vain was their bravery!-- The fallen oak lies where it lay, Across the wintry river; But brave hearts, once swept away, Are gone, alas! forever.

Vain was their bravery!

Woe to the conqueror!

Our limbs shall lie as cold as theirs Of whom his sword bereft us.

Ere we forget the deep arrears Of vengeance they have left us!

Woe to the conqueror!

WHEN THOU SHALT WANDER.

(SICILIAN AIR.)

When thou shalt wander by that sweet light We used to gaze on so many an eve, When love was new and hope was bright, Ere I could doubt or thou deceive-- Oh, then, remembering how swift went by Those hours of transport, even _thou_ may'st sigh.

Yes, proud one! even thy heart may own That love like ours was far too sweet To be, like summer garments thrown Aside, when past the summer's heat; And wish in vain to know again Such days, such nights, as blest thee then.

WHO'LL BUY MY LOVE-KNOTS?

(PORTUGUESE AIR.)

Hymen, late, his love-knots selling, Called at many a maiden's dwelling: None could doubt, who saw or knew them, Hymen's call was welcome to them.

"Who'll buy my love-knots?

"Who'll buy my love-knots?"

Soon as that sweet cry resounded How his baskets were surrounded!

Maids, who now first dreamt of trying These gay knots of Hymen's tying; Dames, who long had sat to watch him Pa.s.sing by, but ne'er could catch him;-- "Who'll buy my love-knots?

"Who'll buy my love-knots?"-- All at that sweet cry a.s.sembled; Some laughed, some blushed, and some trembled.

"Here are knots," said Hymen, taking Some loose flowers, "of Love's own making; "Here are gold ones--you may trust 'em"-- (These, of course, found ready custom).

"Come, buy my love-knots!

"Come, buy my love-knots!

"Some are labelled 'Knots to tie men-- "Love the maker--Bought of Hymen.'"

Scarce their bargains were completed, When the nymphs all cried, "We're cheated!

"See these flowers--they're drooping sadly; "This gold-knot, too, ties but badly-- "Who'd buy such love-knots?

"Who'd buy such love-knots?

"Even this tie, with Love's name round it-- "All a sham--He never bound it."

Love, who saw the whole proceeding, Would have laughed, but for good breeding; While Old Hymen, who was used to Cries like that these dames gave loose to-- "Take back our love-knots!

"Take back our love-knots!"

Coolly said, "There's no returning "Wares on Hymen's hands--Good morning!"

SEE, THE DAWN FROM HEAVEN.

(TO AN AIR SUNG AT ROME, ON CHRISTMAS EVE.)

See, the dawn from Heaven is breaking O'er our sight, And Earth from sin awaking, Hails the light!

See those groups of angels, winging From the realms above, On their brows, from Eden, bringing Wreaths of Hope and Love.

Hark, their hymns of glory pealing Thro' the air, To mortal ears revealing Who lies there!

In that dwelling, dark and lowly, Sleeps the Heavenly Son, He, whose home's above,--the Holy, Ever Holy One!