 | Poems |  |
123
To an Idea.
I
Go, mind-created phantom go,hence flutterer wander,
Lest of thee my bosom's foe,
I still grow fonder!
II
Thou viewless soother, hence away,I'll ne'er believe thee;
For deck'd in fancy's glowing ray,
thou'dst still deceive me.
III
Go thou, who each fond wish hath fed,go fair deception,
By bright imagination bred,
and young conception!
124
IV
Go trembling inmate of my breast,thou sweet illusion;
Go pleasing, dang'rous, cherish'd guest,
thou lov'd delusion!
V
Go mental Proteus, that can startinto each form;
Thou knowest can captivate the heart,
or bosom warm:
VI
Thou mind's cameleon, wav'ring still,reflecting true
The ray that beams each wish or will,
with varied hue!
VII
Go busy, flutt'ring, hov'ring thing,I'll ne'er receive thee;
Why lurk'st thou near—tho' on the wing?
away—and leave me!
125
VIII
Yet should I free thee, much I fearthou'dst idly rove,
And thy course, arch betrayer, steer
to him you love!
IX
Oh! rather from the danger fly,the blissful guile;
And shun the soft deceptive eye,
and magic smile!
X
But should'st thou, flutt'ring near his heart,but haply find,
Thy mistress still a cherish'd guest,
within his mind;
XI
Oh! haste thee on thy airy wing,the tidings bear;
Or keep thy station, faithful thing,
and guard her there!
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