University of Virginia Library

The Burning LOVER.

Cease, Tyrant Love, thy Rage give o're;
It is enough—I suffer more
Than ever wretched Lover felt before.
A kindling Fire enflames my Veins,
Which thro' the Blood, and Marrow reigns.
And must my Sighs—must they conspire
To blow the Brand, and fan the Fire?
At length, fond Boy, these Fires asswage,
At length, ye Sighs, suppress your Rage,
Bid all your former Fury cease,
And sink to breathing Calms of Peace.
Sufficiently the burning Smart
Already has consum'd my Heart,
And tyranniz'd thro' ev'ry Part.
Then since no Safety thus appears,
Begon, ye Flames;—approach, ye Tears;
With cooling Streams the Fires appease,
And give a wretched Lover Ease:
Approach, ye Tears; and weep a Flood,
To quench the Fervour in my Blood.
But how can Tears my Fires appease,
Or give a wretched Lover Ease?
How can my Eyes supply a Flood
To quench the Fervour of my Blood?
Since thirsty Flames, which Tears devour,
Have drank up ev'ry cooling Show'r.
Thus from my Eyes I no Relief can claim,
Condemn'd to Burn, and Live amidst the Flame.