Robert Burns: Farewell Thou Stream:

Farewell Thou Stream

1794
Type: Song
Tune: Nansie’s to the greenwood gane.

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.

————-

Home

Robert Burns Collection

Fledermausi’s Poetry Page

Poetry from Scotland 

Poetry by subject

Poems by author and category

Parallel translations, the parallel world of translating poetry 

Poetry in Russian (you’d have to select Russian in the language switch area, otherwise you won’t be able to read poems in Russian)

• Author
• Recent Posts

Robert Burns

Robert Burns, (born January 25, 1759, Alloway, Ayrshire, Scotland—died July 21, 1796, Dumfries, Dumfriesshire), national poet of Scotland. He wrote lyrics, ballads and songs in Scots and in English. He was also notable for his amorous adventures and his rebellion against religion and morality.

Latest posts by Robert Burns (see all)

• Robert Burns:Inscription To Miss Jessy Lewars: On a copy of the Scots Musical Museum, in four volumes, presented to her by Burns. - February 8, 2022
• Robert Burns:O Wert Thou In The Cauld Blast: - February 8, 2022
• Robert Burns:A Health To Ane I Loe Dear: - February 8, 2022