Oh! leave me still thy tender heart,
Though love's delirious reign is over;
I, too, will act the traitor's part--
Cordelia-like, become a rover.
No more I'll gaze on smiles of thine,
That beam as sweetly on another,
Save with the feelings pure that twine
Around the bosom of a brother.
Loved smiles! that once around me shone,
And waked to feelings of devotion;
Thy sway is past, thy charm is gone--
Thou art resigned without emotion.
No more to charm my wildered dream,
Or hope's delusive joys to heighten;
O'er my lone heart thy cheerless beam
Falls, but has lost the power to brighten.
The auburn ringlets of thy hair
May twine as graceful still, and let them--
Those locks were once as loved as fair,
Yet lost to me, I'll ne'er regret them.
Yes! I could view those curls entwine
Around another's hand that wreath'd them;
Unmoved, recall those tones divine,
Once sweet as were the lips that breath'd them!
Thy form no longer wears the spell,
As when a lover's dreams it haunted;
Nor can affection fondly dwell
On every grace that once enchanted.
Then fare thee well! thou'st broke the chain;
Go! yield thy charms to bless another;
I would not seek their wiles again,
I only ask--to be thy brother.