Farewell Thou Stream
written in 1794
Farewell Thou Stream - meaning Summary
Unreturned Love by the Stream
The speaker bids farewell to the stream near Eliza's home while lamenting an intense, unreturned love. He asks memory to spare him the pain that swells in his heart and describes living under a "hopeless chain," concealing sighs and groans. Convinced Eliza will not and cannot relieve him, he makes a final plea for pity and forgiveness. The poem closes with a nautical image: the lover compares himself to an unwary sailor drawn into an overwhelming torrent, emphasizing helplessness and emotional ruin.
Read Complete AnalysesFarewell, thou stream that winding flows Around Eliza's dwelling; O mem'ry, spare the cruel thoes Within my bosom swelling: Condemn'd to drag a hopeless chain, And yet in secret languish; To feel a fire in every vein, Nor dare disclose my anguish. Love's veriest wretch, unseen, unknown I fain my griefs would cover; The bursting sigh, th' unweeting groan, Betray the hapless lover: I know thou doom'st me to despair, Nor wilt, nor canst relieve me; But, Oh Eliza, hear one prayer, For pity's sake forgive me! The music of thy voice I heard, Nor wist while it enslav'd me; I saw thine eyes, yet nothing fear'd, Till fears no more had sav'd me: Th' unwary Sailor thus, aghast, The wheeling torrent viewing, Mid circling horrors sinks at last, In overwhelming ruin.
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