The Time I've Lost in Wooing
The Time I've Lost in Wooing
Original Text
Thomas Moore, Lalla Rookh, an oriental romance (London: Longman, 1817). 5th edn. PR 5054 L3 1817 Robarts Library
1The time I've lost in wooing,
2In watching and pursuing
3The light, that lies
4In woman's eyes,
5Has been my heart's undoing.
6Though Wisdom oft has sought me,
7I scorn'd the lore she brought me,
8My only books
9Were woman's looks,
10And folly's all they've taught me.
11Her smile when Beauty granted,
12I hung with gaze enchanted,
13Like him, the sprite,
14Whom maids by night
15Oft meet in glen that's haunted.
16Like him, too, Beauty won me,
17But while her eyes were on me,
18If once their ray
19Was turn'd away,
20Oh! winds could not outrun me.
21And are those follies going?
22And is my proud heart growing
23Too cold or wise
24For brilliant eyes
25Again to set it glowing?
26No, vain, alas! th' endeavour
27From bonds so sweet to sever;
28Poor Wisdom's chance
29Against a glance
30Is now as weak as ever.
Publication Start Year
1817
RPO poem Editors
G. G. Falle
RPO Edition
3RP.II.477; RPO 1996-2000.
Rhyme