Classic Poem

Where now are those dark Eyes—(sweet eyes!)—
In tears?—in thought!—in sleep!
Those lights, like stars in the stormy skies,
Which gently shine, when all else weep?
O dark unconquered Eyes!
Are ye from human anguish freed?
Or do ye sometimes mourn indeed,
In pity, or superior pain,
For some deep secret hid from all the world, in vain!

O melancholy Eyes, which love to dwell
On Juliet's passion,—Belvidera's woe,—
Where was the light which now ye wear so well,
(That tender, touching lustre!) long ago?
Did it lie dreaming in your orbs unknown,
As in the rose's bud the unblown perfume,
Till evil fortune (now for ever flown,)
Struck out your dazzling doom?
For what too dangerous purpose were ye born!
To lead the youthful poet far astray?
Or, was 't to turn to tears the proud and gay,
With looks that in their beauty mock the morn?

Long may ye shine; as dark, as bright, as young,
(Shall age e'er harm ye?)—as complete in power,
As when from out Verona's midnight bower,
Upon the moonlight first your glances hung,
And filled with love the rich enamoured air,
And made the fair, more fair!

Long may ye shine; undimmed by storm or cloud;
Uninjured, unconsumed by grief or pain;
Your high heroic spirit never bowed,
Your love ne'er lost, your tears ne'er shed—in vain!
Long may She live and shine—and have no fear
Of fatal Fortune or the touch of Time,
To whom belongs your beauty without peer,
To whom belongs this slight and careless rhyme!