Poems on Several Occasions :: :: University of Virginia Library

Since Stella's Charms, divinely fair,
First pour'd their Lustre on my Heart,
Ten thousand Pangs my Bosom tear,
And ev'ry Fibre feels the Smart.
If such the mournful Moments prove,
O who wou'd give his Heart to Love!

II

I meet my Bosom-Friends with pain,
Tho' Friendship us'd to warm my Soul;
Wine's generous Spirit flames in vain,
I find no Cordial in the Bowl.
If such the mournful Moments prove,
O who wou'd give his Heart to Love!

III

Tho' Nature's Volume open lies,
Which once with Wonder I have read,
No Glories tremble from the Skies,
No Beauties o'er the Earth are spread.
If such the mournful Moments prove,
O who wou'd give his Heart to Love!

IV

Ev'n Poetry's ambrosial Dews
With Joy no longer feed my Mind,
To Beauty, Musick and the Muse,
My Soul is dumb and deaf and blind.
Tho' such the mournful Moments prove,
Alass! I give my Heart to Love.

V

But shou'd the yielding Virgin smile,
Drest in the spotless Marriage-Robe,
I'd look upon this World as vile,
The Master of a richer Globe.
If such the rap'trous Moments prove,
O let me give my Heart to Love!

VI

The Business of my future Days,
My every Thought, my every Pray'r,
Shall be employ'd to sing her Praise,
Or sent to bounteous Heav'n for Her.
If such the rapt'rous Moments prove,
O let me give my Heart to Love!

VII

Poets shall wonder at my Love,
Painters shall crowd her Face to see,
And when they wou'd the Passions move,
Shall copy Her, and think of me.
If such the rapt'rous Moments prove,
O let me give my Heart to Love.

VIII

Old Age shall burn as bright as Youth,
No respite to our Bliss be given:
Then mingled in one Flame of Truth,
We'll spurn at Earth and soar to Heav'n.
Since such the rapt'rous Moments prove,
We Both will give our Hearts to Love.