How blest the youth whom Fate ordains

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How blest the youth whom Fate ordains
by William Cowper
1193400How blest the youth whom Fate ordainsWilliam Cowper (1731-1800)

How blest the youth whom Fate ordains
A kind relief from all his pains,
   In some admired fair;
Whose tend'rest wishes find express'd
Their own resemblance in her breast
   Exactly copied there.

What good soe'er the Gods dispense,
Th' enjoyment of its influence
   Still on her love depends;
Her love the shield that guards his heart,
Or wards the blow, or blunts the dart,
   That peevish Fortune sends.

Thus, Delia, while thy love endures,
The flame my happy breast secures
   From Fortune's fickle pow'r;
Change as she list, she may increase,
But not abate my happiness,
   Confirm'd by thee before.

Thus while I share her smiles with thee,
Welcome, my love, shall ever be
   The favours she bestows;
Yet not on those I found my bliss,
But in the noble ecstasies
   The faithful bosom knows.

And when she prunes her wings for flight,
And flutters nimbly from my sight,
   Contented I resign
Whate'er she gave; thy love alone
I can securely call my own,
   Happy while that is mine.

This work was published before January 1, 1929, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.

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