 | The works of Anna Lætitia Barbauld |  |
76
SONG II.
[If ever thou didst joy to bind]
If ever thou didst joy to bind
Two hearts in equal passion joined,
O son of Venus! hear me now,
And bid Florella bless my vow.
Two hearts in equal passion joined,
O son of Venus! hear me now,
And bid Florella bless my vow.
If any bliss reserved for me
Thou in the leaves of fate shouldst see;
If any white propitious hour,
Pregnant with hoarded joys in store;
Thou in the leaves of fate shouldst see;
If any white propitious hour,
Pregnant with hoarded joys in store;
Now, now the mighty treasure give,
In her for whom alone I live;
In sterling love pay all the sum,
And I'll absolve the fates to come.
In her for whom alone I live;
In sterling love pay all the sum,
And I'll absolve the fates to come.
77
In all the pride of full-blown charms
Yield her, relenting, to my arms:
Her bosom touch with soft desires,
And let her feel what she inspires.
Yield her, relenting, to my arms:
Her bosom touch with soft desires,
And let her feel what she inspires.
But, Cupid, if thine aid be vain
The dear reluctant maid to gain;
If still with cold averted eyes
She dash my hopes, and scorn my sighs;
The dear reluctant maid to gain;
If still with cold averted eyes
She dash my hopes, and scorn my sighs;
O grant!—'tis all I ask of thee,—
That I no more may change than she;
But still with duteous zeal love on,
When every gleam of hope is gone.
That I no more may change than she;
But still with duteous zeal love on,
When every gleam of hope is gone.
Leave me then alone to languish;
Think not time can heal my anguish;
Pity the woes which I endure,—
But never, never grant a cure.
Think not time can heal my anguish;
Pity the woes which I endure,—
But never, never grant a cure.
| The works of Anna Lætitia Barbauld | |