University of Virginia Library

ODE TO JEALOUSY.

Mark what demon hither bends,
Gnawing still his finger-ends,
Wrapt in contemplation deep,
Wrathful, yet inclin'd to weep.
Thy wizard gait, thy breath-check'd broken sigh,
Thy burning cheeks, thy lips, black, wither'd, dry;
Thy side-thrown glance, with wild malignant eye,
Betray thy foul intent, infernal Jealousy.
Hence, thou self-tormenting fiend,
To thy spleen-dug cave descend,
Fancying wrongs that never were,
Rend thy bosom, tear thy hair;
Brood, fell hate, within thy den,
Come not near the haunts of men.
Let man be faithful to his brother man,
Nor, guileful, still revert kind Heaven's plan;
Then slavish fear and mean distrust shall cease,
And confidence confirm a lasting mental peace.