University of Virginia Library

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78

To Belinda, a Love Epistle, wrote at the Request of a Gentleman.

Oh matchless Maid, so strangely form'd to move,
Inspiring Wonder, and creating Love;
Look on a Youth, that owns your potent Sway,
And Mercy equal to your Pow'r display.
Oh Fair Belinda! thou art all my Theme,
My daily Wishes and my nightly Dream.
Each Thought of you enkindles gen'rous Heats,
My flutt'ring Heart with quicker Motion beats,
And rising Blushes do my Cheeks inflame,
If unawares I hear your fav'rite Name.

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79

So strangely will such repetitions move
The secret Passions, when sincere we love.
Your beauteous Form still skims before my Sight,
Diffusing thro' my Soul a soft Delight;
From my warm Bosom drives each other Care,
And leaves no room but for Belinda there.
Ev'n now I see thee drest with ev'ry Grace,
Behold the radiant Honours of thy Face,
With all those Charms, that first inflam'd my Heart,
And those dear Eyes that shot the fatal Dart.

But these delightful Scenes my Fancy feigns,
And with imagin'd Pleasures mock my Pains.
'Tis but the Copy that remains with me,
And I the bright Original would see.
Yet much I fear, it will my Pain encrease
To view the Foe, that has disturb'd my Peace.

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80

Well I remember, when I saw you last,
My Lot was drawn, my certain Doom was pass'd;
And ev'ry charming, tempting Look you gave,
Confirm'd me your's, and made me more a Slave.
Long have I lov'd, but still conceal'd my Flame,
Lest you the daring Passion should disclaim:
In secret still I did the Torment bear,
So much I fear'd to disoblige my Fair.
But now my Love is grown to that excess,
I can no more the raging Pain suppress,
But tell it you in hopes to find Redress.
Ah! do not then, bright Maid, my suit disdain.
Nor let your faithful Lover plead in vain:
But kindly yield with pitying Eyes to view
A Youth, who languishes and dies for you.