Go, Forget Me

Go, forget me! Why should sorrow
O'er that brow a shadow fling?
Go, forget me, — and to-morrow
Brightly smile and sweetly sing.
Smile — though I shall not be near thee;
Sing — though I shall never hear thee.
May thy soul with pleasure shine,
Lasting as the gloom of mine.

Like the sun, thy presence glowing
Clothes the meanest things in light;
And when thou, like him, art going,
Loveliest objects fade in night.
All things looked so bright about thee,
That they nothing seem without thee;
By that pure and lucid mind
Earthly things are too refined.

Go, thou vision, wildly gleaming,
Softly on my soul that fell;
Go, for me no longer beaming —
Hope and Beauty, fare ye well!
Go, and all that once delighted
Take — and leave me, all benighted.
Glory's burning, generous swell,
Fancy, and the poet's shell.