Alas! with such superior sway,
Thy happier genius wings its way;
So bright thy fancy's giv'n to shine,
Thou 'lt pity sure a Muse like mine.

Or humbler should I strive to gain
Applause from humour's sportive strain,
In playful style attempt to please,
And aim at elegance and ease;
Alas! what can I thus submit?
Such vigour points thy livelier wit;
Such native graces still refine,
Thou❜lt pity sure a wit like mine.

But should my pensive lays disclose
Some mournful lover's hidden woes:
The troubled mind, the bleeding heart,
Transfix'd with passion's keenest dart;
While curst, he views his fair one's charms,
With rapture crown another's arms,
Alas! with hopeless grief he'd pine,
Thou wouldst not pity woes like mine.

THE

THE RELAPSE.

A SLAVE to CELIA's charms, I saw
My fond affection fruitless prove;
No more shall VENUS give me law,
No more, O CUPID! will I love.

Yet I was born to feel thy dart,

But now the dear delusion's o'er ; Thy reign is gone, my foolish heart

Would love too much-I'll love no more.

The Godhead cried, “what servile fear! "Weak mortal, see thy soul to move, "Three Graces join'd in one appear." -Child 'tis in vain-I will not love.

When lo! my SYLVIA'S radiant form
Sudden my dazzled eyes explore;
She comes with beauty's every charm,

But comes too late-I'll love no more.

Yes, there resides each power to please,
There graces o'er each feature rove,
There wit and temper, sense and ease;
But all are vain-I will not love.

What!

What! shall my rivals own their fire,
And prostrate at her feet adore,
Whilst I-why still I'll but admire,
I'll surely, surely-love no more.

66

When CUPID thus his purpose prest,
Thy sense and reas'ning I approve;
"Admire then, and in safety rest;
"For admiration-is not love.

"What tho' ten thousand graces glow,
"Such as ne'er met thy eyes before,
"Tho' beauty, sense-all these you know

Are nothing, when-one loves no more.

"Then see the nymph, devoid of fear,
Myself all danger will remove;
"Each moment whisp'ring in your ear,
"At least remember not to love."

How could I trust such hidden guile,
Would CUPID lessen CUPID's power?

Malicious imp! I saw him smile,

Whene'er I said—I'll love no more.

E'en from that day to danger blind,
Heedless to meet my fate I move,

I see the charmer, but I find

To see thee is-alas! to love.

ADDRESSED

ADDRESSED TO MR. G. PICKERING.

To me when life's alluring scenes were new,
And Hope her magic glass upheld to youth;
The sweet perspective! how it charm'd my view,
It promis'd bliss in love-in friendship, truth.

To each fond scheme it promis'd sure success,
Health to pursue, and patience to attain;
I deem'd each hour beyond the last would bless,
And Pleasure still extend her smiling reign.

Experience soon was nigh;-th' illusion's o'er,
And all my darling aims abortive prove:
Early my heart is destin'd to deplore,
Friendship betray'd, and unrequited love.

My wearied spirits sink, and pallid Care

Has fix'd his residence upon my cheek; Calling on Comfort, answer'd by Despair,

Thro' life's drear wilderness my way I seek.

I've seen a flower, which, at AURORA's call,
Burst into bloom and gaily rear'd its head;

Its rise all nature seem'd to hail, and all

The youthful grace of spring around was spread.

But

But soon came on the sultry hour of day,

Blasting whate'er was promis'd by the morn; Th' unhappy plant soon felt the parching ray, And lost its early bloom, and droop'd forlorn.

When lo! their genial succour to impart,

I saw the doors of night propitious come; Thus far'd it with the flow'r; my drooping heart Pants for the night eternal of the tomb.

END OF THE FIRST VOLUME.

Printed by C. Roworth, Bell Yard, Temple Bar.