Oh! had I ne'er beheld thee br How calm my life had flown! br As cold, as pure and tranquil br As some fair vale unknown; br br Where never yet the footsteps br Of wand'ring man has stray'd; br That smiles in lonely beauty br Unheeded—unsurve'd. br br How cheerfully the moments br In sweet content went by, br When sorrow's cloud pass'd swiftly br Across a placid sky: br br The charm of peace is broken— br Can nought its dream restore? br That sky, obscured by sadness, br Shall ne'er be cloudless more.