Anne, Marchioness of Wharton (1632-1685). A Song: "How hardly I conceal'd my tears." J. C. Squire, ed. 1921. A Book of Women's Verse

J. C. Squire, ed. A Book of Women’s Verse. 1921.

A Song: “How hardly I conceal’d my tears”

By Anne, Marchioness of Wharton (1632–1685)


HOW hardly I conceal’d my tears!
How oft did I complain!
When many tedious days my fears
Told me I lov’d in vain.

But now my joys as mild are grown,	5
And hard to be conceal’d:
Sorrow may make a silent moan,
But joy will be reveal’d.

I tell it to the bleating flocks,
To every stream and tree,	10
And bless the hollow murmuring rocks,
For echoing back to me.

Thus you may see with how much joy
We want, we wish, believe;
’Tis hard such passion to destroy,	15
But easie to deceive.