Has Sorrow Thy Young Days Shaded

Melody - "Sly Patrick"

Thomas Moore, from Irish Melodies, vol. 6

Has sorrow thy young days shaded,
As clouds o'er the morning fleet?
Too fast have those young days faded
That, even in sorrow, were sweet?
Does Time with his cold wing wither
Each feeling that once was dear?
Then, child of misfortune, come hither,
I'll weep with thee, tear for tear.

2. Has love to that soul, so tender,
Been like our Lagenian mine,*
Where sparkles of golden splendour
All over the surface shine
But, if in pursuit we go deeper,
Allured by the gleam that shone,
Ah! false as the dream of the sleeper,
Like Love, the bright ore is gone.

3. Has Hope, like the bird in the story,**
That flitted from tree to tree
With the talisman's glittering glory
Has Hope been that bird to thee?
On branch after branch alighting,
The gem did she still display,
And, when nearest, and most inviting,
Then waft the fair gem away?

4. If thus the young hours have fleeted,
When sorrow itself look'd bright;
If thus the fair hope hath cheated,
That led thee along so light;
If thus the cold world now wither
Each feeling that once was dear
Come, child of misfortune, come hither,
I'll weep with thee, tear for tear.

Notes from Irish Melodies:
* Our Wicklow Gold Mines, to which this verse alludes, deserve, I fear, but too well the character given of them.

** "The bird, having got its prize, settled not far off, with the talisman in his mouth. The prince drew near it, hoping it would drop it; but, as he approached, the bird took wing, and settled again," etc. - Arabian Nights.

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