xiv
INTRODUCTION TO
“Why didst thou praise my humble charms,
And, oh! then leave them to decay?
Why didst thou win me to thy arms,
Then leave to mourn the livelong day?
And, oh! then leave them to decay?
Why didst thou win me to thy arms,
Then leave to mourn the livelong day?
“The village maidens of the plain
Salute me lowly as they go;
Envious they mark my silken train,
Nor think a Countess can have woe.
Salute me lowly as they go;
Envious they mark my silken train,
Nor think a Countess can have woe.
“The simple nymphs! they little know
How far more happy’s their estate;
To smile for joy—than sigh for woe—
To be content—than to be great.
How far more happy’s their estate;
To smile for joy—than sigh for woe—
To be content—than to be great.
“How far less blest am I than them?
Daily to pine and waste with care!
Like the poor plant, that, from its stem
Divided, feels the chilling air.
Daily to pine and waste with care!
Like the poor plant, that, from its stem
Divided, feels the chilling air.
“Nor, cruel Earl! can I enjoy
The humble charms of solitude;
Your minions proud my peace destroy,
By sullen frowns or pratings rude.
The humble charms of solitude;
Your minions proud my peace destroy,
By sullen frowns or pratings rude.
“Last night, as sad I chanced to stray,
The village death-bell smote my ear;
They wink’d aside, and seemed to say,
‘Countess, prepare, thy end is near!’
The village death-bell smote my ear;
They wink’d aside, and seemed to say,
‘Countess, prepare, thy end is near!’
“And now, while happy peasants sleep,
Here I sit lonely and forlorn;
No one to soothe me as I weep,
Save Philomel on yonder thorn.
Here I sit lonely and forlorn;
No one to soothe me as I weep,
Save Philomel on yonder thorn.
“My spirits flag—my hopes decay—
Still that dread death-bell smites my ear;
And many a boding seems to say,
‘Countess, prepare, thy end is near!’”
Still that dread death-bell smites my ear;
And many a boding seems to say,
‘Countess, prepare, thy end is near!’”
