University of Virginia Library

The Author being in company with Emma,

and having no opportunity of expressing certain doubts he had conceived of her sincerity, conveys to her the following lines, as a device to know the sentiments of her heart.

Are all my flattering hopes at once betray'd,
And cold and faithless grown my nut-brown maid;
Have I so long indulg'd the pleasing smart,
And worn thy grateful image next my heart,
And must I thus at once all hopes resign,
When fix'd as fate, I fondly thought thee mine?
Then go, irresolute, and dare to prove,
To please proud friends, a rebel to thy love.
Perhaps, too long accustom'd to obtain,
My flattering view was ever false and vain!
Perhaps my Emma's lips, well skill'd in art,
Late breath'd a language foreign to her heart!
Perhaps the muse profanely does thee wrong,
Weak my suspicions, and unjust my song!
Whichever is the cause, the truth proclaim,
And to that sentence here affix thy name;
So shall we both be rescu'd from the fear
Which thou must have to tell, and I to hear.
If thou art false,—the muse shall vengeance take,
And blast the faithless sex for Emma's sake;
If true—my wounds thy gentle voice shall heal,
And own me punish'd by the pangs I feel.
But O! without disguise pronounce my fate,
Bless me with love, or curse me with thy hate!
Hearts soft as mine indifference cannot bear;
Perfect my hopes, or plunge me in despair.