University of Virginia Library

“‘I laud, I laud my speckle-bosomed Love!
O tawny-tinted, swart, and bounteous breast

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Sheltering our blue delights! In their warm nest
Unbroken, pure; fair as the noon above
The world of shadowy leaves that whisper and play,
Where I, beside her sitting, sing alway;
A heart unburthening that never tires
In grateful utterance of fulfilled desires;
And passionate longing not to be betrayed,
Onwardly urged, enjoyably delayed!