I've seen the smile on woman's cheek,
The tear in woman's eye;
But as I gazed, that smile grew dim,
That liquid fount was dry.
Oh, I have heard her say she loved,
And kiss'd the plighted token:—
But I have lived to feel how false
What woman's lip hath spoken!
Yes, lighter than the lightest breath
That skims the morning air
Is woman's vow, that binds the heart
In witchery or despair!
How she hath wrung this bleeding breast,
I may not, dare not tell!
I only know that I have loved
Too fondly, and too well.