The miscellaneous works and novels of R. C. Dallas ::

While yet Eugenia on her native shore,
Laments the cruel fate that holds her there;
While I that fate with heavy sighs deplore,
And in her absence drag a life of care;

While through these distant groves forlorn I tread,
And wishful love my every thought employs;
Oh! faithful Memory! grant thy lively aid,
My griefs to blend with past abundant joys.

And, oh Eugenia! if the tale be true
That thoughts congenial o'er fond lovers reign,
May the dear charm be fully prov'd on you,
And secret sympathy relieve each pain.

279

Blest! blest remembrance of my happy days!
Oh! blest effect of fairy Fancy's power!
The scene where first we whisper'd love I raise,
The meadow this, and this the very hour.

Sutton! thy vernal fields were daisied o'er,
Thy hawthorns teem'd with life and sprightly may,
Where feather'd fondlings chirrup'd nature's lore,
And every lane with songs of love was gay.

Nor was my song deficient to her ear,
Nor was my love unpleasing to her breast,
Nor did Eugenia feel one sordid fear,
But welcom'd fondly so sincere a guest.

Oh! how remembrance all my bosom warms,
Re-realiz'd, I feel, I feel it now:
I vow'd a constant passion to her charms—
Witness, great Love! to my unbroken vow.

How did I glow to view her virgin-charms!
How drink my passion from her nut-brown eye!
How on her bosom gaze with love's alarms!
How to her ruby lips heave many a sigh.

Those angel-charms whence purely I had glow'd,
Those love-made lips where sighs had fondly flown,
Those eyes, that bosom, all, she all bestow'd,
And I was blest to find her all my own.

280

Here let me pause—yet Fancy! take thy scope;
Again o'er each transporting image rove:
But drop the powerless pen, nor vainly hope
That words can paint the ecstasies of love.

Venus might tell them to the beauteous boy
Whom love-lost Mirrha to her parent bore,
Breathe in celestial tones the heavenly joy,
And teach the lovely youth delicious lore.

But! madding fancy! whither dost thou stray?
To bounds! to bounds! nor kill me with thy art:
Till she appear thy power's excess delay,
And take the gentler lead of Memory's part.

Possessing thee what various bliss I prove,
Where mind and person join each female grace:
Whate'er can admiration raise, or love,
Springs from thy soul, and sparkles in thy face.

And for precedence see thy charms contend:
Thy shape and dance can fancy e'er forget?
Now to thy powers of voice my ear I lend,
Now listen to thy wond'rous flageolet.

Music! thy notes are nature, nature here;
Swift flies Eugenia 'fore the ken of art:
Still to sweet harmony how true her ear!
In her, great nature ravishes my heart.

281

Still to religion, still to virtue true,
Together have we search'd the hallow'd sky;
Together sigh'd at woe, and promptly flew
To heal a wound, or give a spring to joy.

These are the pleasures I have proved with thee.
Again these pleasures will I prove ere long:
Again from anxious cares shall we be free,
Nor love be wasted in an idle song.

Then fly, Eugenia, to thy lover's arms;
Bring me those love-made lips, those nut-brown eyes:
We'll live to love, and scout life's false alarms,
And kiss its transient sorrows into joys.

University of Virginia Library

TO EUGENIA.

WRITTEN ABROAD.