Robert Burns (1759–1796). Poems and Songs.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14.

494 . Song—Farewell thou stream that winding flows

FAREWELL, 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, O 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.