Matthew Arnold (1822–88). The Poems of Matthew Arnold, 1840–1867. 1909.
Empedocles on Etna, and Other PoemsThe River
[First published 1852. Reprinted 1855.]
S
Under the rustling poplars’ shade;
Silent the swans beside us float:
None speaks, none heeds—ah, turn thy head.
That mocking mouth grow sweetly bland:
Ah, let them rest, those eyes, on mine;
On mine let rest that lovely hand.
My heart is swoln with love unsaid:
Ah, let me weep, and tell my pain,
And on thy shoulder rest my head.
Which now is mine, must re-attain
Immunity from my control,
And wander round the world again:
For ever leaves its vain employ,
Dead to its deep habitual smart,
And dead to hopes of future joy.