Classic Poem

[These stanzas, which appeared originally in Monthly Literary Recollections of July, 1807, have always been attributed to Byron but were never acknowledged by him later in life. They were signed in the magazine ‘George Gordon, Lord Byron.’]

There is a mystic thread of life
 So dearly wreathed with mine alone,
That Destiny's relentless knife
 At once must sever both, or none.

There is a Form on which these eyes
 Have fondly gazed with such delight—
By day, that Form their joy supplies,
 And Dreams restore it, through the night.

There is a Voice whose tones inspire
 Such soften'd feelings in my breast,
I would not hear a Seraph Choir,
 Unless that voice could join the rest.

There is a Face whose Blushes tell
 Affection's tale upon the cheek,
But pallid at our fond farewell,
 Proclaims more love than words can speak.

There is a Lip, which mine has prest,
 But none had ever prest before;
It vow'd to make me sweetly blest,
 That mine alone should press it more.

There is a Bosom all my own,
 Has pillow'd oft this aching head,
A Mouth which smiles on me alone,
 An Eye, whose tears with mine are shed.

There are two Hearts whose movements thrill,
 In unison so closely sweet,
That Pulse to Pulse responsive still
 They Both must heave, or cease to beat.

There are two Souls, whose equal flow
 In gentle stream so calmly run,
That when they part—they part?—ah no!
 They cannot part—those Souls are One.