Chapter II: Absence

Why wilt thou think that thy heart’s distress
May find relief in tear or sigh?
Thou art abandoned to loneliness--
To loneliness and to misery.
Severing oceans between you roll,
And frowning mountain-barriers rise;
She may not read thy faithful soul--
She may not witness tears or sighs.

Weak and wayward spirit to deem
That the wing of the zephyr will bear to her
Soft as the flight of childhood’s dream
The orisons of her worshipper!
That the gale’s light fragrant breath will bring
Music of thine to thy maiden’s ear,
What time the day-star triumphing
Looks from his throne on the waking sphere.

Yet cherish the hope--tho’ weak and wild,
Its promise of joy thy bosom may bless--
But thou--thou, sorrow’s devoted child!
Soon wilt be left to thy loneliness,
To thy loneliness and thy misery--
Oceans and mountains divide you far;
Never her smile shall light on thee,
Ne’er shalt thou welcome that heavenly star.