You Smiled, You Spoke, And I Believed

You smiled, you spoke, and I believed,
By every word and smile deceived.
Another man would hope no more;
Nor hope I what I hoped before:
But let not this last wish be vain;
Deceive, deceive me once again!

Walter Savage Landor

Walter Savage Landor was an English writer, poet, and dramatist. He is best known for his prose work, the 'Imaginary Conversations,' but also wrote numerous poems and plays. Landor had a tempestuous character and often found himself in conflict with authorities and contemporaries. Despite his combative nature, he was highly regarded by other literary figures such as Charles Dickens and Robert Browning. His works reflect his classical education and strong individualism.

Walter Savage Landor

Corinna, From Athens, To Tanagra

Walter Savage Landor, Simple Poetry

The Lover

Walter Savage Landor, Simple Poetry

To Age

Walter Savage Landor, Simple Poetry

In After Time

Walter Savage Landor, Simple Poetry

English

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To Lanthe

You smild, you spoke, and I believd,
By every word and smile deceivd.
Another man would hope no more;
Nor hope I what I hopd before:
But let not this last wish be vain;            
Deceive, deceive me once again!

Walter Savage Landor

Blondine.

I wandered through a careless world
    Deceived when not deceiving,
And never gave an idle heart
    The rapture of believing.
The smiles, the sighs, the glancing eyes,
    Of many hundred comers
Swept by me, light as rose-leaves blown
    From long-forgotten summers.

But never eyes so deep and bright
    And loyal in their seeming,
And never smiles so full of light
    Have shone upon my dreaming.
The looks and lips so gay and wise,
    The thousand charms that wreathe them,
- Almost I dare believe that truth
    Is safely shrined beneath them.

Ah! do they shine, those eyes of thine,
    But for our own misleading?
The fresh young smile, so pure and fine,
    Does it but mock our reading?
Then faith is fled, and trust is dead,...

John Hay

A Prophecy

Proud word you never spoke, but you will speak
Four not exempt from pride some future day.
Resting on one white hand a warm wet cheek,
Over my open volume you will say,
"This man loved me!" then rise and trip away.

Walter Savage Landor

How To Read Me

To turn my volumes oer nor find
(Sweet unsuspicious friend!)
Some vestige of an erring mind
To chide or discommend,

Believe that all were lovd like you
With love from blame exempt,
Believe that all my griefs were true
And all my joys but dreamt.

Walter Savage Landor

Tell me not things past all belief;

Tell me not things past all belief;
One truth in you I prove;
The flame of anger, bright and brief,
Sharpens the barb of Love.

Walter Savage Landor

To .......

Sweet lady, look not thus again:
    Those bright, deluding smiles recall
A maid remember'd now with pain,
    Who was my love, my life, my all!

Oh! while this heart bewildered took
    Sweet poison from her thrilling eye,
Thus would she smile and lisp and look,
    And I would hear and gaze and sigh!

Yes, I did love her--wildly love--
    She was her sex's best deceiver!
And oft she swore she'd never rove--
    And I was destined to believe her!

Then, lady, do not wear the smile
    Of one whose smile could thus betray;
Alas! I think the lovely wile
    Again could steal my heart away.

For, when those spells that charmed my mind
    On lips so pure as thine I see,
I fear the heart which she resigned
    Will err again an...

Thomas Moore