The Poetical Works of the late Mrs Mary Robinson including many pieces never before published. In Three Volumes |
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| II. |
 | III. |
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LESBIA AND HER LOVER. |
 | The Poetical Works of the late Mrs Mary Robinson |  |
226
LESBIA AND HER LOVER.
Lesbia upon her bosom wore
The semblance of her lover;
And oft with kisses she would cover
The senseless idol, and adore
The dear capricious rover.
The semblance of her lover;
And oft with kisses she would cover
The senseless idol, and adore
The dear capricious rover.
Lesbia would gaze upon his eyes,
And think they look'd so speaking,
That oft her gentle heart was breaking;
While glancing round with frequent sighs,
She seem'd her lover seeking!
And think they look'd so speaking,
That oft her gentle heart was breaking;
While glancing round with frequent sighs,
She seem'd her lover seeking!
One day, says reason, “Why embrace
“A cold and senseless lover?
“What charms can youthful eyes discover
“In such a varnish'd, painted face?
“Prithee the task give over.”
“A cold and senseless lover?
“What charms can youthful eyes discover
“In such a varnish'd, painted face?
“Prithee the task give over.”
227
Cried Lesbia, “Reason, wherefore blame?
“Must you the cause be told?
“My breathing lover I behold
“With features painted just the same—
“As senseless and as cold!
“Must you the cause be told?
“My breathing lover I behold
“With features painted just the same—
“As senseless and as cold!
“Then, reason, 'tis the better way
“The harmless to commend;
“My breathing lover soon would end
“My weary life, to grief a prey—
“This never can offend!”
“The harmless to commend;
“My breathing lover soon would end
“My weary life, to grief a prey—
“This never can offend!”
| The Poetical Works of the late Mrs Mary Robinson | |