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Chapter VIII.
The miscellaneous works (1739) |  |
Chapter VIII.
SHE.O could I call thee by a brother's name,
That tender title would indulge my bliss;
While unrestrain'd by thy superior claims
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And with domestic kindness treat thee there,
With spicy wines and sweet pomegranate's juice;
Then leaning on thy bosom gently rest,
While thou shouldst fold me in a chaste embrace.
Ye virgin train, I charge you not to wake
My sleeping lover from his soft repose.
HE.
My sleeping lover from his soft repose.
Come lean, my fair, on this supporting arm,
The care to guide thy gentle steps be mine,
Along this gloomy forest's winding paths.
These pleasing scenes the pleasing thought revive,
When first thy mother brought thee to my arms;
Beneath a spreading tree's delightful shade
I saw, and rais'd thee from the lowly ground.
The care to guide thy gentle steps be mine,
Along this gloomy forest's winding paths.
These pleasing scenes the pleasing thought revive,
When first thy mother brought thee to my arms;
Beneath a spreading tree's delightful shade
I saw, and rais'd thee from the lowly ground.
SHE.
For ever blest be that auspicious hour,
And may the soft impression ne'er be lost!
O set me as a signet on thy heart!
For love is strong as death, and jealousy
Relentless as the grave; and mine's a flame
That streams, that swelling fountains cannot quench,
Nor all the ocean's boundless stores allay.
And may the soft impression ne'er be lost!
O set me as a signet on thy heart!
For love is strong as death, and jealousy
Relentless as the grave; and mine's a flame
That streams, that swelling fountains cannot quench,
Nor all the ocean's boundless stores allay.
I have a sister yet obscure and young,
A helpless orphan; let my gracious prince
With pity think on her defenceless state.
A helpless orphan; let my gracious prince
With pity think on her defenceless state.
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If worthy of our royal grace she prove,
A palace rich with silver roofs we'll raise,
Enclos'd with doors of cedar for her guard.
SHE.
Such was the favour, so divinely free,
That first with gentle and propitious eyes
Beheld my humble charms, and rais'd me thus.
HE.
His vineyard Solomon to keepers lets;
But mine, entrusted to no hireling's hands,
With pleasing toil employs my busy hours,
And is my constant, my peculiar care.
With thee, my Love, conversing in the shades
The downy moments wing'd with pleasure fly;
Still I could listen to thy charming voice:
Thy fair companions too instructed hear
Thy gracious words, and catch the heav'nly sound.
SHE.
My lord! my life! my soul's eternal bliss!
Haste to my longing arms! fly like the roe,
Or bounding hart on Bether's spicy hills!
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Chapter VIII.
The miscellaneous works (1739) | |