University of Virginia Library

III. PART III.

He.
Arise, my fair, the doors unfold,
Receive me, shivering with the cold.

She.
My heart amidst my slumbers wakes,
And tells me my beloved speaks.

He.
Arise, my fair, the doors unfold,
Receive me, shivering with the cold:
The chill-drops hang upon my head,
And night's cold dews my cheeks o'erspread:
Receive me, dropping, to thy breast,
And lull me in thy arms to rest.

She.
Obedient to thy voice I hie;
The willing doors wide open fly.

CHORUS of Virgins.
Who is thy love, O charming maid!
That from thy arms so late has stray'd?
Say what distinguish'd charms adorn,
And finish out his radiant form?

She.
On his face the vernal rose,
Blended with the lily glows;
His locks are as the raven black,
In ringlets waving down his back;
His eyes with milder beauties beam,
Than billing doves beside the stream;
His youthful cheeks are beds of flow'rs,
Enripen'd by refreshing show'rs;
His lips are of the rose's hue,
Dropping with a fragrant dew;
Tall as the cedar he appears,
And as erect his form he bears.
This, O ye virgins, is the swain,
Whose absence causes all my pain.

He.
Sweet nymph, whom ruddier charms adorn,
Than open with the rosy morn;
Fair as the moon's unclouded light,
And as the sun in splendor bright;
Thy beauties dazzle from a-far,
Like glitt'ring arms that gild the war.

Speaker.
O take me! stamp me on thy breast!
Deep let the image be imprest!
For love, like armed death, is strong,
Rudely he drags his slaves along:
If once to jealousy he turns,
With never-dying rage he burns.

CHORUS.
The vain we trace the globe to try,
If pow'rful gold thy joys can buy:
The treasures of the world will prove
Too poor a bribe to purchase love.