 | Parliamentary Letters, and Other Poems |  |
84
TO A Lady WHO DECLARED THE AUTHOR WAS IN LOVE, SAYING, “I read it in your eyes.”
Say not you read it in my eyes,
For eyes, alas! are sad deceivers;
And they may well their system prize
Who boast the name of unbelievers.
For eyes, alas! are sad deceivers;
And they may well their system prize
Who boast the name of unbelievers.
In eyes, and their mute eloquence,
I once reposed my whole reliance;
And studied hard to gain from thence
The fundamental rules of science.
I once reposed my whole reliance;
And studied hard to gain from thence
The fundamental rules of science.
I once perused those splendid books,
And gazed on animated pages;
Reading much more in Ellen's looks
Than e'er was taught by ancient sages.
And gazed on animated pages;
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Than e'er was taught by ancient sages.
What charms did wisdom then present,
To make me long for its possession;
I found each glance an argument,
And every smile a proof impression.
To make me long for its possession;
I found each glance an argument,
And every smile a proof impression.
I never thought that too much time
To such a subject could be given;
Each little sentence was sublime,
And every chapter spoke of heaven.
To such a subject could be given;
Each little sentence was sublime,
And every chapter spoke of heaven.
I read with rapture, and supposed
My constant diligence was prudent;
But now those looks to me are closed,
And charm some more deserving student.
My constant diligence was prudent;
But now those looks to me are closed,
And charm some more deserving student.
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With literary zeal I seek
A second or a third edition;
But every other must be weak,
Placed with the first in competition.
A second or a third edition;
But every other must be weak,
Placed with the first in competition.
Then, lady, never hope to find
A tale of truth in tender glances;
In these, believe me, are combined
The wildest fictions and romances.
A tale of truth in tender glances;
In these, believe me, are combined
The wildest fictions and romances.
Yet still the charming science prize,
Nor heed the warnings of dejection;
And may you read in smiling eyes,
Assurance of the heart's affection!
Nor heed the warnings of dejection;
And may you read in smiling eyes,
Assurance of the heart's affection!
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