370
Rapt Fancy lends to unchaste eyes
Ideal beauty, and on faces
Where red rose blent with lily tries
For mastery, in wanton wise,
Bestows enchanting graces:
Yet, as we gaze, the charms decay
That promised long with these to linger;
Of love's delight we're forced to say,
It melts like dreamer's wealth away,
Which cheers the eye but mocks the finger!
And, therefore, move I calmly by
The siren bosom softly heaving,
And mark, untouched, the tempter's sigh,
Or make response with tranquil eye—
'Kind damsel, I am past deceiving!'
Long sued I as a man should do,
With cheek high flushed by deep emotion—
My lady's love had no such hue,
Hard selfishness would still break through
The glowing mask of her devotion!
No land had I—but I had health—
No store was mine of costly raiment—
