Poems of Lord Byron — Volume 1 by Lord Byron, Ernest Hartley Coleridge
Well! Thou Art Happy
1.
Well! thou art happy, and I feel That I should thus be happy too; For still my heart regards thy weal Warmly, as it was wont to do.
2.
Thy husband's blest--and 'twill impart Some pangs to view his happier lot: But let them pass--Oh! how my heart Would hate him if he loved thee not!
3.
When late I saw thy favourite child, I thought my jealous heart would break; But when the unconscious infant smil'd, I kiss'd it for its mother's sake.
4.
I kiss'd it,--and repress'd my sighs Its father in its face to see; But then it had its mother's eyes, And they were all to love and me.
5.
Mary, adieu! I must away: While thou art blest I'll not repine; But near thee I can never stay; My heart would soon again be thine.
6.
I deem'd that Time, I deem'd that Pride, Had quench'd at length my boyish flame; Nor knew, till seated by thy side, My heart in all,--save hope,--the same.
7.
Yet was I calm: I knew the time My breast would thrill before thy look; But now to tremble were a crime-- We met,--and not a nerve was shook.
8.
I saw thee gaze upon my face, Yet meet with no confusion there: One only feeling couldst thou trace; The sullen calmness of despair.
9.
Away! away! my early dream Remembrance never must awake: Oh! where is Lethe's fabled stream? My foolish heart be still, or break.
November, 1808. [First published, 1809.]