The New Brunswick Poems of Jonathan Odell :: :: University of Virginia Library

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(Tune, Cold and peevish is the weather.)

When first I beheld my Nancy
Lightly tripping o'er the plain
She excelled what poets fancy
Of the bright etherial train.
Her auburn tresses wild in air
Courted each passing wanton breeze
The Graces hovered round my fair
And taught her every art to please.
Swift then, Swift as the bolt of Jove
Cupid drove in his arrow here
It pained—it throbb'd my heart was burnt up with Love
Ardent Love of my Nancy dear.

Like the stricken Deer, sequestered
Straight I sought the shady grove
There my wounded bosom festered
Sighs and tears expressed my love,
My arms embraced the vacant air
Fancy the fond illusion drew
I knelt and I courted the scornful fair
When soon the airy vision flew.
Wild then, storming at all the Race
Echo repeated each heart felt groan
The Brook, compassionate, moved in a softer Pace
Murmuring to my pensive moan.

Now by Fortune doomed to languish
Weary of the sight of day
Death I called to ease my anguish—
When my Nancy blithe and Gay
From behind a hawthorne Bower

Where, she'd seen me all the while
The helpless Victim of her power
Received me with a Generous Smile.
Come then, come to my arms she cry'd
Stephen deserves his Nancy's heart
Our hearts, our hands together shall now be tyed
Nought but death the bond shall part.

Now the pain is turned to pleasure
Every object doubly charms
Nancy is My darling treasure
Joy resides but in her arms
All the bliss that man can know
Short of that beyond the skies
My Nancy doth on me bestow
And grateful I possess the Prize
Now, now long as I have to Live
Clasping my lovely Nancy dear
I know, I feel the Utmost that Jove can give
Friendship Warm and Love Sincere.

[date unknown]

Odell's wife, Anne, was affectionately called Nancy by her husband.