Poems Written in Close Confinement in The Tower and Newgate ::

WHEN Willy first, by war's alarms,
Was summon'd to the hostile shores,
Keen sorrow dimm'd young Nelly's charms;
And thus the nymph her fate deplores:—

“Ah, foul befal the wicked wights
“Who plunge the world in endless strife,
“Which Love's delightful harvest blights,
“And blasts each tender joy of life?

“Must Willy, from his Country torn,
“A stranger's doubtful cause sustain,
“And leave his faithful maid to mourn,
“O'er vows of Love return'd in vain?

“Must he the weary march sustain,
“And rest on the unshelter'd ground,
“While ruthless winds, and pelting rain,
“And countless dangers rage around?

“Must he the graceful form expose,
“That early won my virgin heart,
“Where cannon, placed in murd'rous rows,
“At once a thousand deaths impart?

“Ah yet, ye great ones! pause and hear—
“Let Peace dispel these dire alarms;
“Ah! dry the widow's, virgin's tear,
“Nor tear my Willy from my arms.”

She sigh'd, and dropp'd the pearly show'r,
And rear'd her pleading arms on high.
But what avails to haughty pow'r
The humble maiden's pleading sigh?

Still, at the nod of ruthless pride,
The widow-making cannon roars;
And torn from Nelly's faithful side,
Her Willy seeks the hostile shores.

Tower, 5th July, 1794.

University of Virginia Library

NELLY's COMPLAINT.

A BALLAD. ON THE MARCH OF A DETACHMENT OF GUARDS FROM THE TOWER; TO JOIN THE ARMY IN FLANDERS.