Persian love elegies To which is added The nymph of Tauris [by John Wolcot] |
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| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. |
ELEGY VI.
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| VII. |
| VIII. |
| IX. |
| X. |
| XI. |
| XII. |
| XIII. |
 | Persian love elegies |  |
15
ELEGY VI.
[Dear to the eye is beauty's melting charm]
SELIM DECLAIMS ON THE DANGERS OF BEAUTY; AND ACCUSES HIS COUNTRYMEN OF RUINING ARTLESS INNOCENCE.
Dear to the eye is beauty's melting charm,
Yet the sweet cause of many a deadly sigh:
Oft to the fair possessor, fraught with harm,
Whene'er unwatch'd by wisdom's eagle eye.
Yet the sweet cause of many a deadly sigh:
Oft to the fair possessor, fraught with harm,
Whene'er unwatch'd by wisdom's eagle eye.
Form'd to defend the fair; insidious man
Each art to lull the simple maid explores;
With horror big contrives the villain plan,
And seeks to ruin whom his eye adores!
Each art to lull the simple maid explores;
With horror big contrives the villain plan,
And seeks to ruin whom his eye adores!
“Divine the cheek of innocence” he cries,
Yet bids that cheek divine with blushes burn:
“Sweet is her voice,” yet swells that voice with sighs
And bids that bosom which delights him, mourn.
Yet bids that cheek divine with blushes burn:
“Sweet is her voice,” yet swells that voice with sighs
And bids that bosom which delights him, mourn.
He sees the silent tear of sorrows start,
Marks on her cheek the sallow hand of care,
Eyes the wild tumult of her lab'ring heart,
Yet, meanly triumphs at her deep despair.
Marks on her cheek the sallow hand of care,
Eyes the wild tumult of her lab'ring heart,
Yet, meanly triumphs at her deep despair.
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Say, what for injur'd virtue can atone?
What from the secret mourner wipe the stain?
Not all the gems of Persia's splendid throne!
A thousand years of anguish, mourn in vain!
What from the secret mourner wipe the stain?
Not all the gems of Persia's splendid throne!
A thousand years of anguish, mourn in vain!
Ye Persian youth, how savage is the deed,
To force from artless innocence the tear:
How base to doom the virgin's heart to bleed,
Because she fondly deem'd your sighs sincere.
To force from artless innocence the tear:
How base to doom the virgin's heart to bleed,
Because she fondly deem'd your sighs sincere.
Make your torn country's deadly foes your prey,
Who chill ev'n horrors dreary soul with dread,
Who rush where blood-ey'd Murder leads the way,
And wolf-like howl along the midnight shade.
Who chill ev'n horrors dreary soul with dread,
Who rush where blood-ey'd Murder leads the way,
And wolf-like howl along the midnight shade.
But ah! forbear to spread the deathful wile,
And wanton, thus our Persian maids destroy:
The deed which robs us of their fav'ring smile,
From Life's few pleasures steals its brightest joy.
And wanton, thus our Persian maids destroy:
The deed which robs us of their fav'ring smile,
From Life's few pleasures steals its brightest joy.
| Persian love elegies | |