FRAGMENT III.
TO MRS. LEFANUE.
“Helas! en l'amitie—les talents la virtue
Pouront-il trouver tou egale.”
Voltaire.
I
Oh why are not all those close ties which enfold
Each human connexion like those which unite us!
Why should interest or pride, or feelings so cold,
Alone to sweet amity's bondage invite us?
II
Thou wert just in that age when the soul's brightest ray
Illumines each mellowing charm of the face,
And the graces of youth still delightedly play
O'er each mind-beaming beauty which Time
can-not chase.
III
I was young, inexperienc'd, unknowing, unknown,
Wild, ardent, romantic, a stranger to thee;
But I'd heard worth, wit, genius, were all, all thine own;
And forgetting that thou wert a stranger to me.
IV
My heart overflowing, and new to each form
Of the world, I sought thee, nor fear'd to offend
By unconscious presumption: oh sure 'twas some charm
That thus led me to seek in a stranger, a friend!
V
Yes, yes, 'twas a charm of such magical force
As Reason herself never wish'd to repel,
For it drew its sweet magic from Sympathy's source,
And Reason herself bows to Sympathy's spell.
VI
Yet fearful of failing, and wishful of pleasing,
How timidly anxious thy notice I woo'd!
But oh! thy first warm glance each wild doubt appeasing,
With courage, with fondness, my faint heart endu'd.
VII
No never (till mem'ry by death shall be blighted)
Can our first touching interview fade from my mind,
When thou, all delighting, and I all delighted,
I, more than confiding; thou much more than kind.
VIII
Forgetful scarce germ'd was our friendship's young flower,
My heart o'er my lips unrestrain'd seem'd to rove,
Whilst thou sweetly veiling thy mind's brighter power,
Left me much to admire, yet still more to love.
IX
Till warm'd by a kindness endearing, as dear,
A wild, artless, song was respir'd for thee;
'Twas a national lay!
and oh! when shall the tear
Which was shed o'er that song, be forgotten by me.
X
And now since that sweet day some years have flown by,
And some golden hours of those years have been mine;
But each year as it fled never twisted one tie,
Round my heart, like that tie which first bound it to thine.