Landon in The Literary Gazette 1825/Alas
Literary Gazette, 26th February, 1825, Page 140
ORIGINAL POETRY.
Alas, alas! I cannot choose but love him.
I have a dream upon my heart,
I cannot bid it quite depart,
Although I know that dream is one
That I should like a serpent, shun:
I know too well what Love will be,
To trust such guest to bide with me.
I have seen hearts well nigh to break,
I have looked on the faded cheek;
Many a sigh have I seen swelling
On lips where the red rose was dwelling:
All this sorrow mine will be,
If I let Love dwell with me.
The laugh, the lightest one of all
Amid the gayest festival,
I have known altered for the tear,
Whose falling does not sooth, but sear:
Knowing this, it cannot be
That I will risk Love with me.
I have known the sweetest sleep
Changed to vigils that but weep;
I have known the careless eye
Hide the depth of agony:
This is what I feel will be
Mine when Love has breathed on me.
I have seen the broken heart
In its hopelessness depart;
Seen Life's brightest hopes but crave
Of their stars an early grave:
What sin on my soul can be,
That Love's spell is set on me?
Yet I feel that all in vain
Would I struggle with the chain
That upon my heart is set;
I may pine, but not forget;
Can it Love, and must it be,
One more victim found in me.
Yet that voice is in mine ear;
Would that it were not so clear;
Still, that look is as a spell,
With a power I may not quell.
Love, if thou my doom must be,
Find a mortal shaft for me.
All my heart can stoop to bear,
All Love's pain, and all Love’s care,
To find that its own energies
Cannot to themselves suffice,
To feel another one can be
Doom and destiny to me.
Yet I love, and O! how well
Lip or look may never tell;
Never might my spirit brook
Others on its depths to look;
Oh, I would give worlds to be
Free, even as I once was free.L. E. L.