But with feign'd coyness, sweet disdain,
And playful wars we'll mix our blisses
And then unite our hearts again

In a long truce of melting kisses.

TO IOLA.

FROM METASTASIO.

OH! let us love, my charming fair,

Oh let us love !---Time hastes away→→ Less swift the dart through liquid air

To pierce the panther cleaves its way.

Too soon, alas! that bloom will fade! Soon droops the rose of youth and dies! Soon will rude age those charms invade And dim the lustre of those eyes!

Lovely at eve the Sun declines,

While streaks of gold his vest adorn;

Yet lovelier in the East he shines,

With brighter radiance hails the morn :--

The wintry storms' resistless pow'r

Of Spring's gay verdure robs the trees, But soon returns the vernal hour,

And 'mid fresh foliage strays the breeze :--

Not so returns our youthful bloom;
Beauty ne'er greets a second May !---
Nor e'er to Death's cold chearless gloom
Succeeds the blissful warmth of day.

Below in Pluto's dreary reign,

Oblivion quenches Love's bright fires;
And wanton Cupid's smiling train
From Stygian caverns far retires.

Oh! then while storms are far away;-
Or e'er 'tis nipp'd by wintry sleets,
Oh! let us pluck, while yet we may,

The rose of love, and taste its sweets.

While Cupid's gentle wars we wage

Our hearts with mutual warmth shall glow, We'll scorn the tales of babbling Age,

That envies joys it cannot know.

F

1

Oh! let us love, my charming fair,

Oh! let us love !---Time hastes away ;--Less swift the dart through liquid air

To pierce the panther cleaves its way.

THE STORM.

FROM THE SAME.

AH! turn not gentle maid away!

No more of love I come to speakNor shall my hopeless passion raise An angry blush upon thy cheek.

But see! the sky begins to lour
And threatens an approaching storm;

Say, shall I lead thy flock to fold?
A friend that kindness may perform.

O do not brave the tempest's rage—
Say not thy heart is void of fear—
But let me fold thy flock alone,

And dearest Laura tarry here.

See how those dark'ning clouds condense!
And what a livid gloom they cast!
How fly the rustling leaves around
Whirled swiftly by the madden'd blast!

And hollow sighs the moaning grove, And low the frighted swallow fliesThin falls the shower, and on thy cheek, Like a bright tear, a raindrop lies.

Ah! see the beamy lightnings glare!Why would not Laura heed her swain? Deeply the crashing thunder roars,

And fast descends the drenching rain.

Pale is thy cheek!-oh! thoughtless maid, Rashly the furious storm to brave !— Here!-shield thy shrinking form beneath The shelter of this friendly cave.

Ah, think not of thy simple flock,

Instinct will prompt themselves to save→ Here! shield thy shrinking form beneath The shelter of this friendly cave.

Why dost thou tremble, lovely maid?
What fears thy gentle bosom move?
I will from every danger guard thee,
And will not talk to thee of love.

Yes-while the beamy lightnings glare
Thou shalt upon my bosom rest,
And while the crashing thunder roar,
Dear Laura shall be closer prest.

But when the heavens again shall smile,
Sweet trembler, when thy fears are o'er,

At thy bidding I will leave thee,
And if thou bid'st return no more.

Meantime beneath this arching cave,

Safe may'st thou sit and lull thy fear; Scarce can be heard the thunder's roar,

Scarce can the lightnings enter here.

And see the laurel's sacred shade

The entrance of the cavern guards;

The laurel-meed of high desert

The fellest storm with awe regards.