Thomas Lovell Beddoes - From Torrismond, Garden Scene lyrics

VERONICA, ELVIRA and other female attendants. Veron. Come then, a song; a winding, gentle song, To lead me into sleep. Let it be low As zephyr, telling secrets to his rose, For I would hear the murmuring of my thoughts; And more of voice than of that other music That grows around the strings of quivering lutes; But most of thought; for with my mind I listen, And when the leaves of sound are shed upon it, If there's no seed remembrance grows not there. So life, so d**h; a song, and then a dream! Begin before another dewdrop fall From the soft hold of these disturbed flowers, For sleep is filling up my senses fast, And from these words I sink. Song. How many times do I love thee, dear? Tell me how many thoughts there be In the atmosphere Of a new-fall'n year, Whose white and sable hours appear The latest flake of Eternity:— So many times do I love thee, dear. How many times do I love again? Tell me how many beads there are In a silver chain Of evening rain, Unravelled from the tumbling main, And threading the eye of a yellow star:— So many times do I love again. Elvira. She sees no longer: leave her then alone, Encompa**ed by this round and moony night. A rose-leaf for thy lips, and then good-night: So life, so d**h; a song, and then a dream! [Exeunt Elvira and attendants, leaving Veronica asleep.]