[Page [151]]

SECRET LOVE.

1 NOT one kind look .... one friendly word!
2 Wilt thou in chilling silence sit;
3 Nor through the social hour afford
4 One cheering smile, or beam of wit?
5 Yet still, absorbed in studious care,
6 Neglect to waste one look on me;
7 For then my happy eyes may dare
8 To gaze and dwell unchecked on thee.
[Page 152]
9 And still in silence sit, nor deign
10 One gentle precious word to say;
11 For silent I may then remain,
12 Nor let my voice my soul betray.
13 This faltering voice, these conscious eyes,
14 My throbbing heart too plainly speak:
15 There timid hopeless passion lies,
16 And bids it silence keep, and break.
[Page 153]
1 TO me how dear this twilight hour,
2 Cheered by the faggot's varying blaze!
3 If this be mine, I ask no more
4 On morn's refulgent light to gaze:
5 For now, while on HIS glowing cheek
6 I see the fire's red radiance fall,
7 The darkest seat I softly seek,
8 And gaze on HIM, unseen by all.
[Page 154]
9 His folded arms, his studious brow,
10 His thoughtful eye, unmarked, I see;
11 Nor could his voice or words bestow
12 So dear, so true a joy on me.
13 But he forgets that I am near ....
14 Fame, future fame, in thought he seeks:
15 To him ambition's paths appear,
16 And bright the sun of science breaks.
17 His heart with ardent hope is filled;
18 His prospects full of beauty bloom:
19 But, oh! my heart despair has chilled,
20 My only prospect is .... the tomb!
[Page 155]
21 One only boon from Heaven I claim,
22 And may it grant the fond desire!
23 That I may live to hear his fame,
24 And in that throb of joy expire.
1 OFT hast thou marked my chilling eye,
2 And mourned my cold reserve to see,
3 Resolved the fickle friend to fly,
4 Who seemed unjust to worth and thee:
[Page 156]
5 While I, o'erjoyed, thy anger saw ....
6 Blest proof I had not tried in vain
7 To give imperious passion law,
8 And hide my bosom's conscious pain.
9 But when night's sheltering darkness came,
10 And none the conscious wretch could view,
11 How fiercely burned the smothered flame!
12 How deep was every sigh I drew!
13 Yet still to thee I'll clothe my brow
14 In all that jealous pride requires;
15 My look the type of Ætna's snow ....
16 My heart, of Ætna's secret fires.
[Page 157]
1 ONE little moment, short as blest,
2 Compassion Love's soft semblance wore;
3 My meagre form he fondly pressed,
4 And on his beating bosom bore.
5 His frame with strong emotion shook,
6 And kindness tuned each faltering word;
7 While I, surprised, with anxious look
8 The meaning of his glance explored.
[Page 158]
9 But soon my too experienced heart
10 Read nought but generous pity there;
11 I felt presumptuous hope depart,
12 And all again was dark despair.
13 Yet still, in memory still, my heart
14 Lives o'er that fleeting bliss again;
15 I feel his glance, his touch, impart
16 Emotion through each bursting vein.
17 And "Once," I cry, "those eyes so sweet
18 On me with fondness deigned to shine;
19 For once I felt his bosom beat
20 Against the conscious throbs of mine!"
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21 Nor shall the dear remembrance die
22 While aught of life to me is given;
23 But soothe my last convulsive sigh,
24 And be, till then, my joy .... my heaven!

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Title (in Source Edition): SECRET LOVE.
Author: Amelia Opie (née Alderson)
Themes:
Genres: ballad metre

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Opie, Amelia Alderson, 1769-1853. The Warrior's Return, and Other Poems. By Mrs. Opie. 2d. ed. London: Printed for Longman, Hurst, Rees, and Orme, Paternoster-row, 1808, pp. [151]-159.  (Page images digitized by Library of Congress Research Institute.)

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