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Amasia, or, The Works of the Muses

A Collection of Poems. In Three Volumes. By Mr John Hopkins

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 I. 
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To Amasia.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
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99

To Amasia.

[In vain in slighted Numbers I complain]

In vain in slighted Numbers I complain,
In vain I write, when I have spoke in vain.
Nor Tongue, nor Pen can you, Obdurate, move,
At once disdaining either Wit or Love.
In what a maze of griefs am I perplext!
Love, the first Crime, and writing was the next,
Both Crimes, yet both yield Anguish and Delight,
For while I live—
I'm doom'd to Love, and while I Love, to Write.
Tho' sense like yours permits no soft return,
Be mild at least, ah! do not, do not scorn.
Believe I Love you, be assur'd I do,
Assurd—I Love, and could adore you too;
Why should I urge what seems a Crime to you?
Yet I'll confess, tho' so confessing die,
'Tis I who Love you most, 'tis only I.
Of this, my Crime, as of desert I boast,
Yes, I am Ravish'd here—
To think, to know, and vow I Love you most.
Love is reported blind, tho' blind he be,
I see I Love—
And thou the object, all must own I see,

100

Spight of your haughty scorn, you see it too,
Tho' you disdain to look at me, you do.
At once your Pride and Reason you display;
Why should you cast the smallest Glance away?
Others with darts from shooting Eyes are struck,
Me you confound, and Kill without a look.
Would I could Learn, O teach this Charming Skill,
Teach me to save my self, tho' not to kill.
It cannot be, here the Obstruction lies,
Unhappy, Eyes I have—
And I must look, as long as I have Eyes.
'Twas they first drew the fatal Poyson in,
Would they—or I my self had never been,
But fate is past, I am, and they have seen.
Seen?—Were that all, your Slave had still been free.
But still the Soul Admires, whene'er they see.
O my Amasia! no, oh! no, ye Pow'rs!
She is not mine—
Nor wilt thou be, tho' I am ever yours.
Would I were yours, but that, ye Pow'rs Divine!
That cannot be, for thou would'st then be mine,
Can it not be?—what can't the Pow'rs above!
To them my slighted, humble suit I'll move.
Rather, to thee—thou art the Pow'r of Love.