To that fad folitude the weeping dame,
Wild with her lofs, and fwoln with forrow, came.
There was she wont to vent her griefs, and mourn
Those dear delights that must no more return.
Thither that morn with more than ufual care
She fped, but O what joy to find him there!
As just arriv'd, and weary with the way,
Retir'd to foft repofe her hero lay.
Now near approaching she began to creep
With careful steps, loth to disturb his fleep;
Till quite o'ercome with tenderness she flew,
And round his neck her arms in transport threw.
But, when she found him dead, no tongue can tell
The pangs fhe felt; fhe fhriek'd, and fwooning fell.
Waking, with loud laments fhe pierc'd the skies,
And fill'd th' affrighted foreft with her cries.
That fatal hour the palace gates fhe barr'd,
And fix'd around the coaft a ftronger guard;
Now rare appearing, and at distance seen,
With crowds of black misfortunes plac'd between ;
Mischiefs of ev'ry kind, corroding care,
And fears, and jealoufies, and dark despair.
And fince that day (the wretched world muft own
These mournful truths by fad experience known)
No mortal e'er enjoy'd that happy clime,
And ev'ry thing on earth fubmits to Time.
HEN tepid breezes fann'd the air, And violets perfum'd the glade, Penfive and grave my charming fair Beneath yon fhady lime was laid,
Flourish, faid I, thofe favour'd boughs,
And ever footh the pureft flames!
Witness to none but faithful vows!
Wounded by none but faithful names !
Yield every tree that crowns the grove
To this which pleas'd my wandering dear!
Range where you will, ye bands of love,
Ye ftill fhall seem to revel here.
Lavinia smil’d—and whilst her arm
Her fair reclining head fuftain'd,
Betray'd fhe felt fome fresh alarm;
And thus the meaning smile explain'd.
When fummer funs fhine forth no more,
Will then this lime its fhelter yield?
Protect us when the tempefts roar,
And winter drives us from the field?
Yet faithful then the fir fhall laft
I fmile, fhe cry'd, but ah! I tremble,
To think when my fair season's past,
Which Damon then will most resemble.
O O timorous maid! can time or chance
pure ingenuous flame controul ?
O lay afide that tender glance,
That melts my frame, that kills my foul!
Were but thy outward charms admir'd,
Frail origin of female sway!
My flame like other flames infpir'd,
Might then like other flames decay:
But whilft thy mind shall seem thus fair,
Thy foul's unfading charms be feen;
Thou may'st resign that shape and air,
Yet find thy fwain-an ever-green.
HE warmest friend, I ever prov'd,
My bittereft foe I fee:
The kindeft maid I ever lov'd,
Is falfe to love and me.
But fhall I make the angry vow,
Which tempts my wavering mind?
Shall dark fufpicion cloud my brow,
And bid me fhun mankind?
Avaunt, thou hell-born fiend! no more
Pretend my steps to guide; Let me be cheated o'er and o'er,
But let me ftill confide.
If this be folly, all my claim
To wisdom I refign;
But let no fage prefume to name
His happiness with mine.
IS true, my wish will never find Another nymph so fair, so true; Since all that's bright, and all that's kind, In thofe expreffive eyes I view.
And I with grateful zeal could hafte
To China for the mereft toy;
Could fcorch on Lybia's barren waste,
To give my dear a moment's joy.
But fickle as the wave or wind,
I once may flight those lovely arms; Pardon a free ingenuous mind,
I do not half deferve thy charms.
If I in any praise excel,
'Tis in foft themes to paint my flame; But Cloe's fweetnefs bids me tell, I shall not long remain the fame.
I know its season will expire,
Replac'd by cool esteem alone;
Nor more thy matchless breast admire
Than I deteft and scorn my own.
This interval my fate allows,
And friendship dictates all I fay ; O fhun to hear my future vows, When giddy love refumes the lay.
So fome poor maniac can forefee
The random hours of madness nigh;
He mourns the fates' fevere decree,
And cautions whom he loves to fly.
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