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The Shamrock

or, Hibernian Cresses. A Collection of Poems, Songs, Epigrams, &c. Latin as well as English, The Original Production of Ireland. To which are subjoined thoughts on the prevailing system of school education, respecting young ladies as well as gentlemen: with practical proposals for a reformation [by Samuel Whyte]

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PREPOSSESSION: A SONG.

Inscribed to Miss CLEMENTS.
Before I saw that pleasing Frame,
Or heard that joy-diffusing Tongue,
Won by the lavish Voice of Fame,
Enraptur'd on thy Name I hung.
While Fancy wander'd, unrestrain'd,
And all my fond Imagination
The lov'd Idea entertain'd,
I thought it was but Prepossession.
But when thy Presence bless'd my View,
And every Charm, before ideal;
The sprightly Eye; the florid Hue;
The manly Sense, alas! prov'd real:

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While, struck by Virtue's awful Ray,
I gaz'd with placid Admiration;
I felt that Reason bore the Sway;
Nor longer thought it Prepossession.
Lo! now thine Image melts my Soul,
And o'er my Breast unrivall'd reigns;
I look—my Thoughts in Tumult roll;
I touch—and Transport fires my Veins.
Now, fluttering like the entangled Dove,
My Heart invites the fierce Sensation;
O wretched Fate! 'tis surely Love;
Not Reason this, nor Prepossession.