A Collection of Poems :: :: University of Virginia Library

An Ev'ning soft, and balmy Air,
And all that's sweet, and fine, and fair,
Conspir'd to crown that happy hour,
When Celia sought a private Bow'r;
Where seated in a Shade alone,
She gave the Winds this tender Moan.

Ah Damon, why this long Delay,
O why art thou so far away!
Come near, my Love! if Celia's Charms
Have Pow'r to call thee to her Arms.
The Season calls us to improve
Each happy Hour, in Bliss and Love;

For ev'ry Scene that charms the Sight,
Is but a Scene of Love's Delight.
Each Flow'r displays a Lover's Eye,
And ev'ry Zephyr is a Sigh.
Each Tree, and Grot, and Bank, and Grove,
Cries, Nature has no Law but Love.

The little Warblers, that rejoyce,
Their Mirth is Love, and Love their Voice.
They flit and hop from Bough to Bough,
And here they Court, and there they Vow;
And now high perch'd on Stems above,
They sing, and all the Song is Love.

Thrice blest, ye Wood-Inhabitants!
As free from Cares, so free from Wants.
No rigid Fate your Bliss destroys,
Or interrupts your happy Joys.
No harsh commanding Parents Tongues,
To check your tender Sports or Songs.
No tiresome Absence to restrain
The Kindlings of your noble Flame.
No busy Spies your Hours to grieve,
Or kind Appointments to deceive;

But all is free, as Wish and Choice,
To Love's Commands, and Nature's Voice.

O how unlike to you am I!
Depriv'd of all my Bliss and Joy,
Beset by Danger, check'd by Fear,
I sigh for one, I have not here.
How long must I in Absence mourn,
And wish in vain for his return!
Ah Damon, why this long Delay,
O why art thou so far away!
Come near, my Love! if Celia's Charms
Have Power to call thee to her Arms!
Let's imitate the Choirs above,
In Bliss, and Freedom, Joy, and Love.