Valentine Verses or, Lines of Truth, Love, and Virtue. By the Reverend Richard Cobbold |
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THE TAX GATHERER. |
 | Valentine Verses |  |
147
THE TAX GATHERER.
If a tax upon Love, would increase the demand,
Do you think that the country would suffer?
Believe me, Old England, my dear native Land,
(Though she wants not my spirit to puff her,)
Would fall to the level of nations not free,
Depress'd in her Love: But may such never be!
Do you think that the country would suffer?
Believe me, Old England, my dear native Land,
(Though she wants not my spirit to puff her,)
Would fall to the level of nations not free,
Depress'd in her Love: But may such never be!
True Love! is the spirit of Honor, not Pride;
'Tis the freedom of Virtue, not art;
'Tis the soul of the bravest; 'tis nature's pure guide;
'Tis the proof of an excellent heart.
For Love would I suffer, but none should controul;
No pride, power, wealth, should enchain my free soul!
'Tis the freedom of Virtue, not art;
'Tis the soul of the bravest; 'tis nature's pure guide;
'Tis the proof of an excellent heart.
For Love would I suffer, but none should controul;
No pride, power, wealth, should enchain my free soul!
148
To my Country her dues; to my King due esteem;
To the peers, commons, people, regard;
To the girl of my heart like a King I would seem,
Like a king her true love would reward;
'Tis the province of man, who has Nature's pure sway,
To protect, love, and cherish,—but not to obey.
To the peers, commons, people, regard;
To the girl of my heart like a King I would seem,
Like a king her true love would reward;
'Tis the province of man, who has Nature's pure sway,
To protect, love, and cherish,—but not to obey.
Forgive me, ye maidens, I mean none offence,
For no tax would I place upon Love,
Unless to read this, if ye think it good sense,
The few lines which are written above.
Such a Gath'rer of Taxes, indeed might complain;
He might rap at my door! I should say, rap again!
For no tax would I place upon Love,
Unless to read this, if ye think it good sense,
The few lines which are written above.
Such a Gath'rer of Taxes, indeed might complain;
He might rap at my door! I should say, rap again!
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