| |
| STREPHON I saw, and started at the sight, | |
| And interchangeably looked red and white; | |
| I felt my blood run swiftly to my heart, | |
| And a chill trembling seize each outward part: | |
| My breath grew short, my pulse did quicker beat, | 5 |
| My heart did heave, as it would change its seat: | |
| A faint cold sweat o’er all my body spread, | |
| A giddy megrim wheel’d about my head: | |
| When for the reason of this change I sought, | |
| I found my eyes had all the mischief wrought; | 10 |
| For they my sort to Strephon had betray’d, | |
| And my weak heart his willing victim made: | |
| The traitors, conscious of the treason | |
| They had committed ’gainst my reason, | |
| Looked down with such a bashful guilty fear, | 15 |
| As made their fault to every eye appear. | |
| Though the first fatal look too much had done, | |
| The lawless wanderers would still gaze on, | |
| Kind looks repeat, and glances steal, till they | |
| Had looked my liberty and heart away: | 20 |
| Great Love, I yield; send no more darts in vain, | |
| I am already fond of my soft chain; | |
| Proud of my fetters, so pleased with my state, | |
| That I the very thought of Freedom hate. | |
| O mighty Love! thy art and power join, | 25 |
| To make his frozen breast as warm as mine; | |
| But if thou try’st, and canst not make him kind, | |
| In Love such pleasant, real sweets I find, | |
| That, though attended with despair it be, | |
| ’Tis better still than a wild liberty. | 30 |
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