 | Poetical remains (1872) |  |
76
To a Lady.
SENT WITH HAMMOND'S LOVE ELEGIES.
Let costly presents win the fickle fair,
Let heaps of wealth the sordid bosom move;
To thee, my Marian, no such gifts I bear,
I have no wealth, no treasure—but my love.
Let heaps of wealth the sordid bosom move;
To thee, my Marian, no such gifts I bear,
I have no wealth, no treasure—but my love.
Yet take (all I can give) these tender plaints
That breathe from Hammond's sweetly mournful tongue;
Such as, beyond what Fiction feebly paints,
Nature inspires, and her Tibullus sung.
That breathe from Hammond's sweetly mournful tongue;
Such as, beyond what Fiction feebly paints,
Nature inspires, and her Tibullus sung.
Oft shalt thou steal to read in secret here,
When from all else but love thy thoughts are free;
Oft shalt thou drop the sympathising tear,
And, while thou pitiest Hammond, think of me.
When from all else but love thy thoughts are free;
Oft shalt thou drop the sympathising tear,
And, while thou pitiest Hammond, think of me.
Oft too, whilst I in sorrow waste my youth,
A wretched exile, far from thee and bliss;
Thou'lt kiss, perhaps, these pledges of my truth:
O Heaven! that I could intercept that kiss!
A wretched exile, far from thee and bliss;
Thou'lt kiss, perhaps, these pledges of my truth:
O Heaven! that I could intercept that kiss!
77
Oh! whilst on earth she bends her modest eye,
That I could gaze upon those blushing cheeks!
That I could, fixed in silent rapture by,
Fondly devour each nectar'd word she speaks!
That I could gaze upon those blushing cheeks!
That I could, fixed in silent rapture by,
Fondly devour each nectar'd word she speaks!
O ineffectual vows! O cruel doom,
From all my soul holds dear so soon to part!
Meantime, perhaps, some lovelier youth may come,
And drive me hopeless from my Marian's heart.
From all my soul holds dear so soon to part!
Meantime, perhaps, some lovelier youth may come,
And drive me hopeless from my Marian's heart.
Yet rest, too credulous heart! my Marian swears
That none but I shall in her bosom reign;
Farewell then! now farewell to all my cares!
Farewell to love-lorn Hammond's plaintive strain.
That none but I shall in her bosom reign;
Farewell then! now farewell to all my cares!
Farewell to love-lorn Hammond's plaintive strain.
| Poetical remains (1872) | |