University of Virginia Library

A Mad SONG.

I go to the Elysian Shade,
Where Sorrow ne'er shall wound me;
Where nothing shall my Rest invade;
But Joy shall still surround me.
I fly from Celia's cold Disdain,
From her Disdain I fly;
She is the Cause of all my Pain,
For her alone I die.
Her Eyes are brighter than the Mid-day Sun,
When he but Half his Radiant Course has run;
When his Meridian Glories gayly shine,
And gild all Nature with a Warmth divine.
See yonder River's flowing Tide,
Which now so full appears,
Those Streams that do so sweetly glide,
Are nothing but my Tears.
There have I wept till I could weep no more,
And curst mine Eyes when they have shed their Store;
Then, like the Clouds that rob the Azure Main,
I've drain'd the Flood to weep it back again.
Pity my Pains,
Ye gentle Swains,
Cover me with Ice and Snow,
I scorch, I burn, I flame, I glow,
Furies tear me,
Quickly bear me
To the dismal Shades below:
Where Yelling and Howling,
And Grumbling and Growling,
Strike our Ears with horrid Woe.
Hissing Snakes,
Fiery Lakes,
Were a Pleasure and a Cure;
Not all the Hells,
Where Pluto dwells,
Can give such Pains as I endure.
To some peaceful Plain convey me,
On a Mossy Carpet lay me,
Fan me with Ambrosial Breeze!
Let me die, and so have Ease.