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Elegant Fairy, whose engaging ways
Have rais'd thee to a throne in my esteem
High above all thy sex!—Unrivall'd maid,
Who, ever to my mind a welcome guest,
Com'st with such sweet intrusion, whether night
Muffle the world in darkness, and I sleep,
Or muse in vigilance to-morrow's song;
Or whether day be kindled in the east,
And find me poring on my Shakspeare's line;
Thou, whose sweet image at the ev'ning dance,
Or mid the flow'ry tribes, describing all,
And all surpassing (loveliest flow'r that blows);
Or by domestic hearth, or at the desk
Rapidly fingering authentic proof
Of taste and industry; pursues me still;
Say, by what magic pow'r, what heav'nly art,
Hast thou my soul subdued, and bound it fast
In chains of strong attachment? Why returns
Thy ev'ry action to my musing eye?
Why feeds remembrance still upon thy smile,
And deems it sweet repast? Have not I look'd
On many an angel, ere I look'd on thee?
Have I not witness'd the commanding grace
Which affability and smiles bestow
On heav'nly features? Have I not beheld
Beauty allied to fortune and to rank,
And plum'd with all the dignity can spring
From virtue and a due regard to heav'n,
Join'd to the feebler ornaments of art,
Dress and accomplishments? Why then art thou
Not to be banish'd from my longing heart?
Why does thy lovely image haunt my soul?
Ah me! I must adore thee, and my chains
Lothe not: captivity is passing sweet,
Cheer'd by the sweet persuasion that thy heart
Is one with mine. Hope, be thy ray sincere,
And light us safely o'er the shoals of love,
Into the peaceful haven of success!
And then, indulgent heav'n, if my fate
Be sad discomfiture, still favour her,
And give her, to compensate my defeat,
The sweetest portion of thy sweetest cup.