University of Virginia Library

To Mr ---

[Tir'd of Mankind, I long have born in vain]

Tir'd of Mankind, I long have born in vain
With silent greatness, my encreasing pain,
But now, my Friend, I must at last complain.
My growing ills, in swelling Torrents roll,
And, with impetuous Tides, o'er-flow my Soul.
All my desires and wishes fly me far,
My Fortunes wreck'd in the loud Storms of War.
Happy I liv'd, while Childish Years did last,
But our best Pleasures are but Dreams, when past.
The Thoughts of those disturb my present rest,
I were not Wretched now, had I not then been blest.
Born to be curst by Destiny, I stand,
And can't, so much as view the happy Land.
Friendless, and all, but Resolution lost,
A mark for Fate I seem, upon a ruin'd Coast.
Kept back by Winds, and tides which loudly roar,
I sit deserted on the Barren shore,
And view the Sea of Time, which I must yet pass o'er.
Heaven's utmost rage, and tortures here I see;
Ill do my Fortunes with my Soul agree;
I have a Spirit form'd to be above
A low submission to ought else than Love.
None but Amasia can my mind controul,
She melts my Thoughts, and softens all my Soul.
How could I hope she should my Flames prefer,
If I knew how to stoop to ought, but her?
Blest were my days, while here the Charmer stay'd,
But I lost all, soon as I lost the Maid.
In her alone, was all my valu'd store,
And rob'd of her, I could be rob'd no more.
War's threat'ning Tempest bore the Nymph away,
This Venus took her flight upon the boist'rous Sea.
The Gallick Court with joy the Virgin saw,
There still she Reigns, spite of the Salick Law.
Of wish'd success, and Triumph I Despair,
France can't be vanquish'd, while Amasia's there.
Her Charms give Courage the to Youth, to wield
Their brandish'd Swords, bold, in the dusty Field.
Bravely they Fight, and Venture for the spoil,
They hope her smiles will soon reward their toil.
For her bright Charms they dare encounter far,
'Tis she's the Goddess, that sustains their War.
She gives them Valour, sets their Souls on Fire,
And so, her Eyes against themselves conspire.
Warm'd by their rays, they to the onset move,
The Youth, so rais'd, must needs successful prove,
And then they claim, for their exploits, her Love.
Around her Brows their Wreaths of Laurel rise,
But all can't Shade them from her Radiant Eyes.
By force, they Conquer Squad'rons in the Field,
Oppose whole Armies, yet to her they yield.
Her dearer Chains to freedom they prefer,
And stoop, when Conqu'rours, to be Slaves to her.
While I, with folded Arms, in fond Despair,
Clasp my sad Breast, to press her Image there.
O let me rush impatient to the War,
Drive, and pursue my flying Rivals far.
None great in Battles should like Sylvius prove,
He should Fight best, who best knows how to Love.
'Tis then resolv'd I'll boldly charge my foes,
For Nassau Conquers, wheresoe'er he goes.
Plac'd in Command beneath a Chief so great,
I'll force my Fortune, or I'll urge my fate.
But ah! I would not undistinguish'd fall,
Grant this, ye Gods! And ye have granted all.
Grant that brave Death I may to flight prefer,
And let Amasia know, I fought, and dy'd for her.
To hopes of Joys, and peaceful Thoughts adieu,
Farewel to them for ever, now to you.
No Words my Melancholy Thoughts can tell,
Let them die with me too; once more, Farewel.