Volume Vi Part 2 (1/2)

A CANDID WOOING.

I cannot give thee all my heart, Lady, lady, My faith and country claim a part, My sweet lady; But yet I 'll pledge thee word of mine That all the rest is truly thine;-- The raving pa.s.sion of a boy, Warm though it be, will quickly cloy-- Confide thou rather in the man Who vows to love thee all he can, My sweet lady.

Affection, founded on respect, Lady, lady, Can never dwindle to neglect, My sweet lady; And, while thy gentle virtues live, Such is the love that I will give.

The torrent leaves its channel dry, The brook runs on incessantly; The storm of pa.s.sion lasts a day, But deep, true love endures alway, My sweet lady.

Accept then a divided heart, Lady, lady, _Faith_, _Friends.h.i.+p_, _Honour_, each have part, My sweet lady.

While at one altar we adore, _Faith_ shall but make us love the more; And _Friends.h.i.+p_, true to all beside, Will ne'er be fickle to a bride; And _Honour_, based on manly truth, Shall love in age as well as youth, My sweet lady.

PROCRASTINATIONS.

If Fortune with a smiling face Strew roses on our way, When shall we stoop to pick them up?

To-day, my love, to-day.

But should she frown with face of care, And talk of coming sorrow, When shall we grieve--if grieve we must?

To-morrow, love, to-morrow.

If those who 've wrong'd us own their faults And kindly pity pray, When shall we listen and forgive?

To-day, my love, to-day.

But if stern Justice urge rebuke, And warmth from memory borrow, When shall we chide--if chide we dare?

To-morrow, love, to-morrow.

If those to whom we owe a debt Are harm'd unless we pay, When shall we struggle to be just?

To-day, my love, to-day.

But if our debtor fail our hope, And plead his ruin thorough, When shall we weigh his breach of faith?

To-morrow, love, to-morrow.

If Love, estranged, should once again His genial smile display, When shall we kiss his proffer'd lips?

To-day, my love, to-day, But, if he would indulge regret, Or dwell with bygone sorrow, When shall we weep--if weep we must?

To-morrow, love, to-morrow.

For virtuous acts and harmless joys The minutes will not stay; We 've always time to welcome them To-day, my love, to-day.

But care, resentment, angry words, And unavailing sorrow Come far too soon, if they appear To-morrow, love, to-morrow.

REMEMBRANCES OF NATURE.

I remember the time, thou roaring sea, When thy voice was the voice of Infinity-- A joy, and a dread, and a mystery.

I remember the time, ye young May flowers, When your odours and hues in the fields and bowers Fell on my soul as on gra.s.s the showers.