Absent from thee I languish still; br Then ask me not, when I return? br The straying fool 'twill plainly kill br To wish all day, all night to mourn. br br Dear! from thine arms then let me fly, br That my fantastic mind may prove br The torments it deserves to try br That tears my fixed heart from my love. br br When, wearied with a world of woe, br To thy safe bosom I retire br where love and peace and truth does flow, br May I contented there expire, br br Lest, once more wandering from that heaven, br I fall on some base heart unblest, br Faithless to thee, false, unforgiven, br And lose my everlasting rest.