Sweet copy! far more dear to me, Save her who placed thee next my heart. She placed it, sad, with needless fear, Through hours, through years, through time, 'twill cheer; In life's last conflict 'twill appear, No, no, my flame was not pretended; No more we meet in yonder bowers; Your cheek's soft bloom is unimpair'd, The forge of love's resistless lightning. Arm'd thus, to make their bosoms bleed, LINES ADDRESSED TO A YOUNG LADY. As the author was discharging his pistols in a garden, two ladies passing near the spot were alarmed by the sound of a bullet hissing near them; to one of whom the following stanzas were addressed the next morning.]7 Surely some envious demon's force, 7 [The occurrence took place at Southwell, and the beautiful lady to whom the lines were addressed was Miss Houson.] This word is used by Gray in his poem to the Fatal Sisters : "Iron-sleet of arrowy shower Hurtles in the darken'd air." VOL. I. Yes! in that nearly fatal hour The ball obey'd some hell-born guide; Yet, as perchance one trembling tear Say, what dire penance can atone Might I perform the judge's part, Which but belong'd to thee before. The least atonement I can make But thou, perhaps, may'st now reject Choose then, relentless! and I swear LOVE'S LAST ADIEU, Αεί, δ' ἀεί με φεύγει.-ANACREON. THE roses of love glad the garden of life, Though nurtured 'mid weeds dropping pestilent dew, Till time crops the leaves with unmerciful knife, Or prunes them for ever, in love's last adieu ! In vain with endearments we soothe the sad heart, Still Hope, breathing peace through the grief-swollen breast, Oh! mark you yon pair: in the sunshine of youth Love twined round their childhood his flow'rs as they grew; They flourish awhile in the season of truth, Till chill'd by the winter of love's last adieu! Sweet lady! why thus doth a tear steal its way Down a cheek which outrivals thy bosom in hue? Yet why do I ask?-to distraction a prey, Oh! who is yon misanthrope, shunning mankind? Now hate rules a heart which in love's easy chains How he envies the wretch with a soul wrapt in steel! Youth flies, life decays, even hope is o'ercast; No more with love's former devotion we sue : In this life of probation for rapture divine, Sweet copy! far more dear to me, Save her who placed thee next my heart. She placed it, sad, with needless fear, Held every sense in fast control. Through hours, through years, through time, 'twill cheer; In life's last conflict 'twill appear, TO LESBIA! LESBIA! since far from you I've ranged, Your polish'd brow no cares have crost; Sixteen was then our utmost age, Two years have lingering past away, love! And now new thoughts our minds engage, At least I feel disposed to stray, love! 'Tis I that am alone to blame, I, that am guilty of love's treason; Since your sweet breast is still the same, Caprice must be my only reason. I do not, love! suspect your truth, One trace of dark deceit it leaves not. |