 | Landscapes in verse |  |
In Fanny's form, the graces of her heart
Were painted fair: her beauty and her worth,
Each of excelling kind, were all her dow'r:
To fortune born, and not of humble birth.
Birth, fortune, and the summer friends they bring,
The fools they buy, or flatteries they bribe,
By the strong arm of sharp adversity
That on her father press'd, were all destroy'd:
A narrow cottage, and an ample soul,
That would a palace fill with generous deeds,
Were now her sire's possessions—save a wife,
Choice of his youth, and honour of his age,
That grac'd his silver hair—save this fair maid,
Pledge of their mutual faith, their mutual joy;
Who like a precious gem, from ocean sav'd,
Amidst the general wreck, with virtuous hand
Lin'd the parental couch with filial down
More white, more soft, than what the cygnet drops
Upon the summer stream. In hope's fair May,
While yet the prospect smil'd, Agenor lov'd,
And spoke his welcome flame:—the blooming youth
Was by the blooming maid belov'd again:—
But when he saw the smiling prospect low'r,
And Fanny's golden hopes upon the wing
Of the dark tempest toss'd in desert air,
Shrunk he away?—Say, dost thou think he flew
Fast as that drenching storm, like the vile slave
Whose soul for ever grovels in the dross
That stains the mine?—O no! he lov'd the more:
And as the chilling gale began to blow,
The clouds to gather, and the rain to pour,
He drew her nearer to his shelt'ring breast,
And spread more wide the refuge of his arms.
Who ever purchas'd love, by aught but love?
Blush, bankrupt gold, at what is ev'n beyond
Thy giant grasp:—He woo'd her gentle heart,
He woo'd and won it:—By their parents bless'd,
Bless'd in themselves, and in their love too bless'd,—
Unspotted love,—they wait the festal hour,
That festal hour all redolent with bliss,
For which young Fancy twines her fairest wreathe.
Were painted fair: her beauty and her worth,
Each of excelling kind, were all her dow'r:
To fortune born, and not of humble birth.
34
The fools they buy, or flatteries they bribe,
By the strong arm of sharp adversity
That on her father press'd, were all destroy'd:
A narrow cottage, and an ample soul,
That would a palace fill with generous deeds,
Were now her sire's possessions—save a wife,
Choice of his youth, and honour of his age,
That grac'd his silver hair—save this fair maid,
Pledge of their mutual faith, their mutual joy;
Who like a precious gem, from ocean sav'd,
Amidst the general wreck, with virtuous hand
Lin'd the parental couch with filial down
More white, more soft, than what the cygnet drops
Upon the summer stream. In hope's fair May,
35
And spoke his welcome flame:—the blooming youth
Was by the blooming maid belov'd again:—
But when he saw the smiling prospect low'r,
And Fanny's golden hopes upon the wing
Of the dark tempest toss'd in desert air,
Shrunk he away?—Say, dost thou think he flew
Fast as that drenching storm, like the vile slave
Whose soul for ever grovels in the dross
That stains the mine?—O no! he lov'd the more:
And as the chilling gale began to blow,
The clouds to gather, and the rain to pour,
He drew her nearer to his shelt'ring breast,
And spread more wide the refuge of his arms.
Who ever purchas'd love, by aught but love?
36
Thy giant grasp:—He woo'd her gentle heart,
He woo'd and won it:—By their parents bless'd,
Bless'd in themselves, and in their love too bless'd,—
Unspotted love,—they wait the festal hour,
That festal hour all redolent with bliss,
For which young Fancy twines her fairest wreathe.
| Landscapes in verse | |