For dear little lips, to their destiny true, Seem'd to know they were born for the use of anSUPPOSED TO BE WRITTEN BY JULIA ON THE other; DEATH OF HER BROTHER. And, to put me in mind of what I ought to do, THOUGH sorrow long has worn my heart ; Were eternally biting and kissing each other. Though every day I've counted o'er Has brought a new and quickening smart And then you were darting from eyelids so sly, Half To wounds that rankled fresh before; open, half shutting,—such tremulous light: Let them say what they will, I could read in your eye Though in my earliest life bereft More comical things than I ever shall write. And oft, as we mingled our legs and our feet, I felt a pulsation, and cannot tell whether In yours or in mine—but I know it was sweet, I still had hopes—for hope will stay And I think we both felt it and trembled together. After the sunset of delight ; So like the star which ushers day, At length when arrived, at our supper we sat, We scarce can think it heralds night! I heard with a sigh, which had something of pain, That perhaps our last moment of meeting was that. I hoped that, after all its strife, And Fanny should go back to Timmol again. My weary heart at length should rest, And, fainting from the waves of life, Yet I swore not that I was in love with you Fanny, Find harbour in a brother's breast. Oh, no! for I felt it could never be true; I but said—what I've said very often to manyThat brother's breast was warm with truth, There's few I would rather be kissing than you. Was bright with honour's purest ray; He was the dearest, gentlest youth Then first did I learn that you once had believed Oh! why then was he torn away ? Some lover, the dearest and falsest of men ; And so gently you spoke of the youth who deceived, He should have stay'd, have linger'd here, To calm his Julia's every woe; That I thought you perhaps might be templed He should have chased each bitter tear, again. And not have caused those tears to flow. But you told me that passion a moment amu imused, Was follow'd too oft by an age of repenting ; We saw his youthful soul expand In blooms of genius, nursed by taste; And check'd me so softly that, while you refused, While Science, with a fostering hand, Forgive me, dear girl, if I thought 't was consenting! Upon his brow her chaplet placed. And still I entreated, and still you denied, We saw his gradual opening mind Till I almost was made to believe you sincere; Enrich'd by all the graces dear; Though I found that, in bidding me leave you, you Enlighten'd, social, and refined, sigh'd, In friendship firm, in love sincere, And when you repulsed me, 't was done with a tear. Such was the youth we loved so well; Such were the hopes that fate denied In vain did I whisper, “There 's nobody nigh;" We loved, but, ah! we could not tell In vain with the tremors of passion implore; How deep, how dearly, till he died ! Your excuse was a kiss, and a tear your reply I acknowledged them both, and I ask'd for no Close as the fondest links could strain, Twined with my very heart he grew ; And by that fate which breaks the chain, Was I right?-oh! I cannot believe I was wrong. The heart is almost broken too! Poor Fanny is gone back to Timmol again ; And may Providence guide her uninjured along, Nor scatter her path with repentance and pain ! By Heaven! I would rather for ever forswear The Elysium that dwells on a beautiful breast, Than alarm for a moment the peace that is there, Quadrigis petimus bene vivere. Horace. Or banish the dove from so hallow'd a nest ! more. Sweet Fanny of Timmol! when first you came in To the close little carriage in which I was hurl'd, I thought to myself, if it were not a sin, I could teach you the prettiest tricks in the world. a A NIGHT THOUGHT. Obscures your bashful light, Along the waste of night! limits of distich and stanza, it allows an interesting suspension of the sentiment.-E. "T is thus the world's obtrusive wrongs Obscure with malice keen To live and die unseen! ELEGIAC STANZAS. Sic juvat perire. And you may down that path-way rove, While I shall take my way through this. Our hearts have suffer'd little harm In this short fever of desire ; You have not lost a single charm, Nor I one spark of feeling fire. My kisses have not stain'd the rose Which Nature hung upon your lip ; And still your sigh with nectar flows For many a raptured soul to sip. Farewell! and when some other fair Shall call your wanderer to her arms, 'T will be my luxury to compare Her spells with your remember'd charms “ This cheek,” I'll say, “is not so bright As one that used to meet my kiss; has not such liquid light WHEN wearied wretches sink to sleep, How heavenly soft their slumbers lie! How sweet is death to those who weep, To those who weep and long to die ! This eye Saw you the soft and grassy bed, Where flow'rets deck the green earth's breast? "T is there I wish to lay my head, "T is there I wish to sleep at rest ! Oh ! let not tears embalm my tomb, None but the dews by twilight given ! Oh! let not sighs disturb the gloom, None but the whispering winds of Heaven! Farewell! and when some future lover Shall claim the heart which I resign, And in exulting joys discover All the charms that once were mine; I think I should be sweetly blest, If, in a soft imperfect sigh, He loves not half so well as I! THE KISS. Grow to my lip, thou sacred kiss, On which my soul's beloved swore That there should come a time of bliss When she would mock my hopes no more; And fancy shall thy glow renew, In sighs at morn, and dreams at night, And none shall steal thy holy dew Till thou 'rt absolved by rapture's rite. Sweet hours that are to make me blest, Oh! fly, like breezes, to the goal, And let my love, my more than soul, Come panting to this fever'd breast; And while in every glance I drink The rich o'erflowings of her mind, Oh! let her all impassion'd sink, In sweet abandonment resign'd, Blushing for all our struggles past, And murmuring, “I am thine at last !" A REFLECTION AT SEA. SEE how, beneath the moonbeam's smile, Yon little billow heaves its breast, And foams and sparkles for a while, And murmuring then subsides to rest. Thus man, the sport of bliss and care, Rises on Time's eventful sea; Thus melts into eternity! TO With all my soul, then, let us part, Since both are anxious to be free; And I will send you home your heart, If you will send back mine to me. We've had some happy hours together, But joy must often change its wing ; And spring would be but gloomy weather, If we had nothing else but spring. AN INVITATION TO SUPPER TO MRS. - "T is not that I expect to find A more devoted, fond, and true one, With rosier cheek or sweeter mind Enough for me that she's a new one. Thus let us leave the bower of love, Where we have loiter'd long in bliss ; By such a charming guide as you, While even the planets seem'd to wink, We kept our vigils of delight ? The heart, that little world of ours, Unlike the drowsy world of care, Then, then awaked its sweetest powers, And all was animation there! Kiss me once more, and then I fly, Our parting would to noon-day last ; There, close that languid trembling eye, And sweetly dream of all the past ! As soon as Night shall fix her seal Upon the eyes and lips of men, To nestle in thine arms again! Secret as those celestial spheres Which make sweet music all the night, Unheard by drowsy mortal ears ! But, Julia, let those matters pass! If you will brim a sparkling glass To vanish'd hours of true delight, Come to me after dusk to-night. I'll have no other guest to meet you, But here alone I'll tete-a-tete you, Over a little attic feast, As full of cordial soul at least, As those where Delia met Tibullus, Or Lesbia wanton'd with Catullus." I'll sing you many a roguish sonnet About it, at it, and upon it: And songs address'd, as if I loved, To all the girls with whom I've roved. Come, pr’ythee come, you 'll find me here, Like Horace, waiting for his dear.2 There shall not be to-night, on earth, Two souls more elegant in mirth; And, though our hey-day passion 's fled, The spirit of the love that's dead Shall hover wanton o'er our head; Like souls that round the grave will fly, In which their late possessors lie: And who, my pretty Julia, knows, But when our warm remembrance glows, The ghost of Love may act anew, What Love when living used to do! SONG." While we have wine and good humour in store With this, and a little of love to madden us, Show me the fool that can labour for more! Come, then, bid Ganymede fill every bowl for you, Fill them up brimmers, and drink as I call : I'm going to toast every nymph of my soul for you, Ay, on my soul, I'm in love with them all! Dear creatures ! we can't live without them, They ’re all that is sweet and seducing to man! Looking, sighing about and about them, We dote on them, die for them, all that we can. Here's Phillis !-whose innocent bosom Is always agog for some novel desires ; To-day to get lovers, to-morrow to lose 'em, Is all that the innocent Phillis requires.Here's to the gay little Jessy !-who simpers So vastly good humour'd, whatever is done; She'll kiss you, and that without whining or whimpers, And do what you please with you—all out of fun! Dear creatures, etc. A bumper to Fanny S-I know you will scorn her, Because she's a prude, and her nose is so curl'd; But if ever you chatted with Fan in a corner, You'd say she's the best little girl in the world! Another to Lyddy still struggling with duty, And asking her conscience still, “ whether she should ;" While her eyes, in the silent confession of beauty, Say, “Only for something I certainly would.” Dear creatures, etc. Fill for Chloe !-bewitchingly simple, Who angles the heart without knowing her lure; Still wounding around with a blush or a dimple, Nor seeming to feel that she also could cure ! AN ODE UPON MORNING. Turn to me, love! the morning rays Are glowing o'er thy languid charms; Take one luxurious parting gaze, While yet I linger in thine arms. I stole into thy bosom, dear! Has found me still in dalliance here. Turn to me, love! the trembling gleams Of morn along thy white neck stray; Away, away, you envious beams, I'll chase you with my lips away! Oh! is it not divine to think, While all around were lull'd in night 1 Cænam, non sine candida puella. Cat. Carm. xii. 2 puellam Ad mediam noctem expecto. Hor. lib. i. sat. 5. 1 There are many spurious copies of this song in circulation; and it is universally attributed to a gentleman who has no more right than the Editor of these Poems to any snare whatever in the composition.-E. Here's pious Susan !--the saint, who alone, sir, Could ever have made me religious outright: For had I such a dear little saint of my own, sir, I'd pray on my knees to her half the long night! Dear creatures, etc. That the oath I might take on it now The very next glance would undo! Such different arrows have got, Such as yours, may be off in a shot! Though each moment the treasure renews, If my constancy wishes to trip, I may kiss off the oath when I choose! Or a sigh may disperse from that flower The dew and the oath that are there! To lose them so sweetly in air ! Nor fancy my faith is a feather; And they both must be broken together! 1 COME tell me where the maid is found Whose heart can love without deceit, To sigh one moment at her feet. What air receives her blessed sigh; To catch one sparkle of her eye! And, if her cheek be rosy bright, While truth within her bosom lies, I'll gaze upon her, morn and night, Till my heart leave me through my eyes! Show me on earth a thing so rare, I'll own all miracles are true; Oh! 't is the utmost Heaven can do! ; SONG.' SWEETEST love! I'll not forget thee; Time shall only teach my heart, Fonder, warmer, to regret thee, Lovely, gentle as thou art !- Farewell, Bessy! Yet, oh! yet again we'll meet, love, Avd repose our hearts at last : Farewell, Bessy! May n't be always sought in vain ; And the moment of possessingWill't not, love, repay our pain ? Farewell, Bessy! When I think I stray from thee, Round the world that quiet seeking, Which I fear is not for me! Farewell, Bessy! Can it, dearest! must it be? Farewell, Bessy! JULIA'S KISS. When infant Bliss in roses slept, Cupid upon his slumber crept; And, while a balmy sigh he stole, Exhaling from the infant's soul, He smiling said, “ With this, with this I'll scent my Julia's burning kiss !" Nay, more; he stole to Venus' bed, Ere yet the sanguine flush had fled, Which Love's divinest, dearest flame Had kindled through her panting frame. Her soul still dwelt on memory's themes, Still floated in voluptuous dreams; And every joy she felt before In slumber now was acting o'er. From her ripe lips, which seem'd to thrill As in the war of kisses still, And amorous to each other clung, He stole the dew that trembling hung, And smiling said, “With this, with this I'll bathe my Julia's burning kiss!” TO Whose heart is warmly bound to thee, Close as the tenderest links can bind A heart as warm as heart can be. SONG. IF I swear by that eye, you ’ll allow Its look is so shifting and new, Oh! I had long in freedom roved, Though many seem'd my soul to share; ’T was passion when I thought I loved, 'T was fancy when I thought them fair. E'en she, my Muse's early theme, Beguiled me only while she warm'd; "T was young desire that fed the dream, And reason broke what passion form'd. 1 All these songs were adapted to airs which Mr. Little composed, and soinetimes sang, for his friends: this may account for the peculiarity of metre observable in many of them.-E. But thou—ah! better had it been If I had still in freedom roved, If I had ne'er thy beauties seen, For then I never should have loved! Thy last fading glance will illumine the way, And a kiss be our passport to heaven! Then all the pain which lovers feel Had never to my heart been known; But, ah! the joys which lovers steal, Should they have ever been my own? Oh! trust me, when I swear thee this, Dearest! the pain of loving thee, The very pain, is sweeter bliss Than passion's wildest ecstasy! That little cage I would not part, In which my soul is prison'd now, For the most light and winged heart That wantons on the passing vow. Still, my beloved ! still keep in mind, However far removed from me, That there is one thou leavest behind Whose heart respires for only thee! Thy fate unto another's care, Cannot confine the heart that's there. By ties all other ties above, For I have wed it at a shrine Where we have had no priest but Love ! SONG. Which for a moment mix'd with mine, “I dare not, or I would be thine !" On all thou hast to charm and move; And tell me 't is not sin to love! For sure, if Heaven's decrees be done, As I was destined to be won! SONG How sweetly shall I pass my age, To wanton up and down my cage. When Death shall envy joy like this, And come to shade our sunny weather, And both our souls exhale together! SONG THE CATALOGUE. “ Come, tell me,” says Rosa, as, kissing and kiss'd, I can never meet any that 's dearer! One day she reclined on my breast; Of the nymphs you have loved and caress’d.”- My heart at the moment was free; But I'll tell thee, my girl, how many I've loved, When your lip has met mine, in abandonment sweet, And the number shall finish with thee! Have we felt as if virtue forbid it ?- She taught me the way to be blest; She taught me to love her, I loved like a child, So little of guilt is there in it, But Kitty could fancy the rest. I have never forgot, I allow; I have had it by rote very often before, But never by heurt until now! But my head was so full of romance, And I was her knight of the lance! And she laugh'd at her poor little knight; While I thought her a goddess, she thought me a fool, And, oh! when we lie on our death-bed, my love! And I'll swear she was most in the right. Again I was tempted to rove; But Cloris, I found, was so learned in books, “ Farewell! let us hope we're forgiven!” That she gave me more logic than love! |