Poems on Several Occasions | ||
106
SONG.
[Young Daphne was the prettiest maid]
I
Young Daphne was the prettiest maidThe eyes of love could see;
And but one fault the charmer had;
'Twas cruelty to me.
No swain that e'er the nymph ador'd,
Was fonder, or was younger;
Yet when her pity I implor'd,
'Twas “Stay a little longer.”
II
It chanc'd I met the blooming fair,One may-morn in the grove;
When Cupid whisper'd in my ear,
“Now, now's the time for love.”
107
“What, did I mean to wrong her?”
Not so, my gentle dear! I cry'd,
But love will stay no longer.
III
Then, kneeling at her feet I swore,How much I lov'd, how well;
And that my heart, which beat for her,
With her should ever dwell.
Consent stood speaking in the eye,
Of all my care's prolonger;
Yet soft she utter'd, with a sigh,
Oh, stay a little longer.
108
IV
The conflict in her soul I saw,'Twixt virtue and desire;
Oh, come, I cry'd, let Hymen's law
Give sanction to love's fire.
Ye lovers, guess how great my joys;
Could rapture well prove stronger!
When virtue spoke, in Daphne's voice,
You now shall stay no longer.
Poems on Several Occasions | ||