Farewell Thou Stream by Robert Burns
The speaker bids farewell to the stream around Eliza's dwelling, laments his concealed and hopeless love, and begs her forgiveness. He recalls how her voice and eyes captivated him and compares his plight to a sailor sinking in a whirlpool.
By Robert Burns · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Love Poetry · 244 words
First lines
Air-"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!
Genres
- Lyric Poetry — Three rhymed stanzas voice the speaker's concealed anguish, farewell, and plea to Eliza.
- Love Poetry — The speaker despairs of relief from Eliza and recalls being captivated by her voice and eyes.
Tags
concealed love · despair · farewell · forgiveness · longing
What this Textopian page supports
Farewell Thou Stream is listed on Textopian as a poem by Robert Burns, dated Date unknown.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Robert Burns
- Date: Date unknown
- Language: English
- Genres: Lyric Poetry, Love Poetry
- Length: 244 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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