George Gordon Byron

Hebrew Melodies 25. By the Rivers of Babylon We Sat down and Wept

I.

We sate down and wept by the waters
⁠Of Babel, and thought of the day
When our foe, in the hue of his slaughters,
⁠Made Salem's high places his prey;
And Ye, oh her desolate daughters!
⁠Were scattered all weeping away.

II.

While sadly we gazed on the river
⁠Which rolled on in freedom below,
They demanded the song; but, oh never
⁠That triumph the Stranger shall know!
May this right hand be withered for ever,
⁠Ere it string our high harp for the foe!

III.

On the willow that harp is suspended,
⁠Oh Salem! its sound should be free;
And the hour when thy glories were ended
⁠But left me that token of thee:
And ne'er shall its soft tones be blended
⁠With the voice of the Spoiler by me!