The Works of Lord Byron (ed. Coleridge, Prothero)/Poetry/Volume 3/Hebrew Melodies/I saw thee weep

by George Gordon Byron

I SAW THEE WEEP.

I.

I saw thee weep—the big bright tear
⁠Came o'er that eye of blue;^[1]
And then methought it did appear
⁠A violet dropping dew:
I saw thee smile—the sapphire's blaze
⁠Beside thee ceased to shine;
It could not match the living rays
⁠That filled that glance of thine.

II.

As clouds from yonder sun receive
⁠A deep and mellow dye,
Which scarce the shade of coming eve
⁠Can banish from the sky,
Those smiles unto the moodiest mind
⁠Their own pure joy impart;
Their sunshine leaves a glow behind
⁠That lightens o'er the heart.

1. [Compare the first Sonnet to Genevra (addressed to Lady Frances Wedderburn Webster), "Thine eye's blue tenderness."]