 | Original Poems and Translations |  |
51
To LAURA Absent.
November 1745.
If you ever heard my prayer,
Hear it now, indulgent fair;
Let your swain no longer mourn,
But return, my fair, return.
Hear it now, indulgent fair;
Let your swain no longer mourn,
But return, my fair, return.
Lo! tempestuous winter near
Stains the evening of the year;
Gloomy clouds obscure the day,
Nature ceases to be gay;
The sweet tenants of the grove
Warble no soft tales of love:
Rise, my fair, and bring with thee
Joy for all, but love for me.
Stains the evening of the year;
Gloomy clouds obscure the day,
Nature ceases to be gay;
The sweet tenants of the grove
Warble no soft tales of love:
Rise, my fair, and bring with thee
Joy for all, but love for me.
Where are all those blooming flowers
That adorn'd my rural bowers?
Dappled pinks, and violets blue,
And the tulip's gaudy hue,
Lillies white, and roses red?
All are wither'd, all are dead:
Yes—they hasten'd to decay,
When my Laura went away;
When she comes, again they'll rise,
Blooming where she points her eyes.
That adorn'd my rural bowers?
Dappled pinks, and violets blue,
And the tulip's gaudy hue,
52
All are wither'd, all are dead:
Yes—they hasten'd to decay,
When my Laura went away;
When she comes, again they'll rise,
Blooming where she points her eyes.
Hark! I hear a sound from far,
Clanking arms, the din of war,
Dreadful music to my ear!
All was peace when you was here.
Now Rebellion shakes the land,
Murder waves her bloody hand;
High in air their banners fly,
Dreadful tumults rend the sky:
Rise, my fair, and bring with thee
Softer, sweeter, harmony;
All my doubts and fears remove,
Give me freedom, give me love;
Discord when you come will cease,
And in my bosom all be peace.
Clanking arms, the din of war,
Dreadful music to my ear!
All was peace when you was here.
Now Rebellion shakes the land,
Murder waves her bloody hand;
High in air their banners fly,
Dreadful tumults rend the sky:
Rise, my fair, and bring with thee
Softer, sweeter, harmony;
All my doubts and fears remove,
Give me freedom, give me love;
Discord when you come will cease,
And in my bosom all be peace.
| Original Poems and Translations | |