Literary Gazette, 19th August, 1826, Pages 524-525
ORIGINAL POETRY.
THE WORLD AS IT IS.
Farewell, farewell, and light farewell
Is all you'll have of mine—
So easily as I'm resign'd,
So easy I resign.
Why should I shed a single tear,
When none are shed for me?
Or sigh amid a careless crowd,
Where sighs should never be?
Why should I love? a fair exchange
Is all my love will give:
As I am loved, 'tis fair for that
An equal love should live.
So, gay as any round your board,
I'll give you smile for smile;
Though well I know that, taper-like,
I shine but for a while.
Great foolishness it were to weep,
That when I am not there,
Another takes my vacant place,
And weeds me from your care.
I do not dwell amid the days
Utopia may have known,
When that affection's dearest bands
Were round the absent thrown.
I hold our modern creed the best—
To its decree resigned,
I will confess, when out of sight
Best to be out of mind.
For what can Memory do but tell
How sweet the flowers were;
And when they fade, it dims them more
To say they once were fair.
And what is Love?—A weary spell
To double every ill—
To make our best of happiness
Be at another's will.
No! careless laugh and mocking eye,
That know no charm like change,
These are the only wings wherewith
Through this slight world to range.
L. E. L.
