Poems on several occasions :: :: University of Virginia Library

Poems on several occasions

By the late Edward Lovibond

Lovibond, Edward (1724-1775)

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ON THE DEATH OF EDWARD LOVIBOND, Esq;

THE TEARS OF OLD MAY-DAY.

DEDICATION TO THE Rev. Mr. WOODDESON, Of Kingston upon Thames, AND THE LADIES of his NEIGHBOURHOOD.

JULIA's PRINTED LETTER TO LORD ---.

ON REBUILDING COMBE-NEVILLE, NEAR KINGSTON, SURREY,

ON LADY POMFRET's PRESENTING THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD WITH HER COLLECTION OF STATUES.

ON RURAL SPORTS.

ODE TO CAPTIVITY.

IMITATION FROM OSSIAN's POEMS,

ODE TO YOUTH.

TO THE THAMES.

TO Miss K--- P---.

TO Miss K--- P---, WITH ANSON's VOYAGE.

THE COMPLAINT OF CAMBRIA

ON A PRESENT to the AUTHOR OF TWO IMPRESSIONS FROM A Fine Antique Seal of the Head of ALEXANDER;

ON THE SUBJECT OF THE MONUMENT IN ARCADIA.

ON THE SAME.

HITCHIN CONVENT.

TO A YOUNG LADY, A VERY GOOD ACTRESS.

TO AN ACCOMPLISHED LADY.

ADDRESS TO THE THAMES.

TO Mrs. B---, Reading Julia with tears, during a hard frost.

ON Mr. BROWN'S Alterations at Clermont,

TO LADY F---, On her Marriage.

SONG.

VERSES Written after passing through Findon, Sussex, 1768.

TO A LADY.

STANZAS.

TO A YOUNG LADY, Who objected to sup with a Party of both sexes, that met at a Coffee-House.

TO THE SAME, ON HER DRESS.

TO THE SAME.

ON Reading the foregoing VERSES.

SONG.

LAURA's ANSWER.

REPLY TO Miss G---.

TO Miss G---.

TO LAURA, ON Her receiving a Mysterious LETTER from A METHODIST DIVINE.

TO THE SAME. ON POLITICS.

TO LAURA. FAREWELL TO THE ROSE.

SONG TO ****.

On Men being deprived, from Custom and Delicacy, of enjoying social Friendship with the Fair Sex.

TO A YOUNG LADY, Fainting at the News of her Friend's Misfortunes.

ON THE DEATH OF AN INFANT.

TO Miss N---m,

TO THE Mrs.'s R---s,

VERSES WRITTEN AT BRIGHTHELMSTONE.

TO Miss G---,

ANSWER TO THE FOREGOING VERSES.

ON THE DEATH OF A YOUNG GENTLEMAN.

INSCRIPTION FOR A FOUNTAIN.

On the converting the late Mr. WOODDESON's HOUSE, at Kingston, into a Poor-House, and cutting down the great Walk of high Trees before it.

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154

REPLY TO Miss G---.

Sappho, while your Muse of fire,
Listening to the vocal spheres,
Sits and tempers to her lyre
Airs divine for mortal ears:

Viewing higher orbs that glow,
Ever constant, ever true,
Still she dreams to find below
Perfect forms, as Heaven and you.

155

Blame not Asia's fair, who glances
Random smiles in heedless ease,
Shifts at will her wayward fancies,
Pleasing all, whom all can please;

Blame her not—no envied treasure
Is the tenderer, feeling heart,
Bosoms quick to keener pleasure
Beat, alas! as quick to smart.

Who with eyes that ever languish,
Still to desarts sighs alone?
Who consumes her youth in anguish?
—She who keeps an heart for one.

Tender love repaid with treason,
Fortune's frowns, parental power,
Blast her in the vernal season,
Bend her, unsupported flower.

156

Happier she, with pliant nature
Fleeting, fickle as the wind;
She, who proving one a traitor,
Turns to meet another kind.

Blame her not—with Asian rovers
What can Asia's fair pursue?
What? but lessons taught by lovers,
Like the traitor, treacherous too.

Why should faith, obsequious duty,
Sooth an eastern tyrant's scorn?
Who but rifles joyless beauty
Steals the honey, leaves the thorn.

Sadness sits by Ganges' fountains;
How can echo cheer the vale?
What repeat from fragrant mountains?
What but grief and horror's tale?

157

What but shrieks of wild despair?
What but shouts that murder sleep?
There the struggling, fainting fair;
There—but see my Sappho weep!

Change the strain!—this mournful measure
Melts, oppresses virtuous hearts—
Sappho, wake thy lyre of pleasure!
Sing of Europe's happier arts!

Sing of all the mingled blessing
Reason, tempering passion, knows;
All the transport of possessing
Unpluck'd beauty's willing rose!

Sing of that refin'd sensation
Mutual melting bosoms prove,
Souls exchang'd, sweet emanation,
Separate being lost in love!

158

Rapture's tears, voluptuous stream!
Languor stealing sorrow's sighs;
Sing of love—thyself the theme!
Sing of love—thyself the prize!