I + 

The River + 

Still glides the stream, slow drops the boat + 

Under the rustling poplars’ shade; + 

Silent the swans beside us float: + 

None speaks, none heeds⁠—ah, turn thy head. + 

Let those arch eyes now softly shine, + 

That mocking mouth grow sweetly bland: + 

Ah, let them rest, those eyes, on mine; + 

On mine let rest that lovely hand. + 

My pent-up tears oppress my brain, + 

My heart is swoln with love unsaid: + 

Ah, let me weep, and tell my pain, + 

And on thy shoulder rest my head. + 

Before I die, before the soul, + 

Which now is mine, must re-attain + 

Immunity from my control, + 

And wander round the world again: + 

Before this teas’d o’erlabour’d heart + 

For ever leaves its vain employ, + 

Dead to its deep habitual smart, + 

And dead to hopes of future joy. + 