STREPHON when you see me fly Let not this your fear create, Maids may be as often shy Out of love as out of hate; When from you I fly away, Did I out of hatred run Less you'd be my pain and care; But the youth I love, to shun, Who can such a trial bear? Who that such a swain did see Who could love and fly like me? Cruel duty bids me go, Gentle love commands me stay; Duty's still to love a foe, Shall I this or that obey? Duty frowns, and Cupid smiles, That defends, and this beguiles. Ever by these crystal streams I could sit and hear thee sigh, Ravish'd with these pleasing dreams O'tis worse than death to fly : But the danger is so great Fear gives wings, instead of hate. Strephon, if you love me, leave me, Oh! with ease you may deceive me, WHEN first I saw thee graceful move If love thou art, then farewell rest! Since doom'd I am to love thee, fair, With gentle smiles asswage the pain Now see my Goddess, earthly born.* Furnish'd from nature's boundless store, She proves all far-sought knowledge vain. Untaught as Venus, when she found And laughing begg'd the Tritons round And unaccomplish'd all as Eve Yet there is something in her face, * This Song is designed as a contrast to an Address to Wisdom. And there is magic in her eye, And there are words that she can speak, Most easy to be understood, More sweet than all the Heathen Greek By Helen spoke, when Paris woo'd. And she has raptures in her pow'r, Let me but kiss her soft warm hand, What Knowledge would not understand, And Wisdom would disdain to hear, And let her listen to my tale, "Trs not the liquid brightness of those eyes, Nor those fair heavenly arches which arise 'Tis not that air which plays with every wind, Now straying o'er thy forehead, now behind 'Tis not that lovely range of teeth, as white Nor even that gentle smile, the heart's delight, 'Tis not the living colours over each, By nature's finest pencil wrought, To shame the fresh blown rose, and blooming peach, And mock the happiest painters thought: But 'tis that gentle mind, that ardent love, So kindly answering my desire; [move, That grace with which you look, and speak, and That thus have set my soul on fire. |