University of Virginia Library

Search this document 
The poetical works of Sir William Jones

With the life of the author ... in two volumes

expand sectionI. 
collapse sectionII. 
expand section 
expand section 
collapse section 
  
  
A SONG, From the Persian, paraphrased in the Measure of the Original.
  
  
  


195

A SONG, From the Persian, paraphrased in the Measure of the Original.

I

Sweet as the rose that scents the gale,
Bright as the lily of the vale,
Yet with a heart like summer hail,
Marring each beauty thou bearest.

II

Beauty like thine, all nature thrills;
And when the Moon her circle fills,
Pale she beholds those rounder hills,
Which on the breast thou wearest.

III

Where could those peerless flow'rets blow?
Whence are the thorns that near them grow?
Wound me, but smile, O lovely foe!
Smile on the heart thou tearest.

IV

Sighing, I view that cypress waist,
Doom'd to afflict me till embrac'd;
Sighing, I view that eye too chaste,
Like the new blossom smiling.

V

Spreading thy toils with hands divine,
Softly thou wavest like a pine,
Darting thy shafts at hearts like mine,
Senses, and soul beguiling.

196

VI

See at thy feet no vulgar slave,
Frantic with love's enchanting wave,
Thee, ere he seek the gloomy grave,
Thee his blest idol styling.