241
And Have I Gazed?
And have I gazed on this bright form
While it was fast decaying?
And have I looked on these pale lips
While ghastly death and woman's love
Thereon with smiles were playing?
And do I see that lustrous eye
Now quenched in hopeless night?
And was that feebly-murmured sigh
Thy spirit's heavenward flight?
A moment since that eye was bright,
A moment since it beamed on me,
And now that lovely orb of light
Is fixed on dull vacuity;
That bosom throbb'd, that cheek was warm,
And in that round and polish'd arm
The thin blue veins were filled with life;
Now motionless and pale they lie;
Sad beauteous wrecks of that stern strife
In which a soul escaped on high!
Q
