University of Virginia Library

SONG XXIV. LOVE's INTREATY.

Deear Maidy, if you'd fancy me,
I'd be a happy Creature;
It wounds me deeply when I see
So many a charming Feature
Around thee, makes me to rejoice;
It glades my Spirits, clears my Voice;
Nothing but this can be my Choice,
Dear Maidy I would love thee.
Thou'rt fairer unto me than those
That in Silk Tires are sailing;
Thou'rt sweeter than the sweetest Rose;
Troth thou art far excelling
All Maidens, be they ne'er so fair,
There's none of them that can compare;
For Want of thee let not Despair
Seize on me, my dear Lassie.
I'm fir'd with Love; my panting Heart
Longs for thee, my sweet Treasure;
Grant me a Smile to ease my Smart;
O love me in some Measure.
It is not all the Nymphs around,
That could my tender Heart so wound;
O make thy Love to me abound,
For none I'll prize above thee.
Oh! if I could enjoy thy Charms,
Mixt with thy tender Beauty,
And ly within thy folded Arms,
I think 'twould be my Duty,
To thank the Gods for their Reward,
That made thee thus to have Regard
For me; alas! but I'm so fear'd
That you will never love me,
That every Day it seems a Year
To me, till Love engage thee:
No Comfort to me can appear,
Till you bid me, I pledge thee.
And as a Token of our Bliss,
You give to me a balmy Kiss;
And when I see you profer this,
Then dearly will I love thee.
But, if you slight my Suit, and prove
Ungrateful to thy Lover,
No Woman shall e'er win my Love,
Until I once do prove her.
Yet, unto thee, my charming Fair,
None of your Sex I can compare;
Dear Lassie, let me have a Share
Of thy sweet Charms to prove me.
I'll constant prove; you need not fear
That ever I will alter;
No Woman's Beauty can appear
To make my Fancy faulter:
But true I will for ever be,
As is the Moon unto the Sea;
Nothing shall make us disagree,
But more and more I'll love thee.
Thy rosy Cheeks, and Lips so fine,
Inflames me when I see them,
That all my Senses I do tyne,
Until I once do pree them.
Let not my Praises make thee vain,
So as to leave me with Disdain,
When I'm in Hopes you are my ain,
As an unconstant Lover.