O, NIGHTINGALE! best poet of the grove!
That plaintive strain can ne'er belong to thee,
Blessed in the full possession of thy love!

O, lend that strain, sweet nightingale! to me!

'Tis mine, alas! to mourn my wretched fate!

I love a Maid, who all my bosom charms; Yet lose my days, without this lovely mate! Inhuman Fortune keeps her from my arms!

You, happy birds! by Nature's simple laws,
Lead your soft lives, sustained by Nature's fare!
You dwell wherever roving fancy draws;

And Love and Song is all your pleasing care.

But we (vain slaves of Interest and Pride!)

Dare not be blessed, lest envious tongues should blame!

And hence, in vain, I languish for my Bride!

O, mourn with me, sweet bird! my hapless flame!

ONE day, the God of fond desire,

On mischief bent, to DAMON said, 'Why not disclose your tender fire? Not own it to the lovely Maid?'

The Shepherd marked his treacherous art;
And, softly sighing, thus replied.
"Tis true, you have subdued my heart;
But shall not triumph o'er my pride!

'The slave, in private only bears
Your bondage, who his love conceals;
But when his Passion he declares,
You drag him at your chariot wheels!'

COME, gentle God of soft desire!
Come, and possess my happy breast!
Not, Fury-like, in flames and fire;
Or frantic Folly's wildness drest.

But come in Friendship's angel-guise;
Yet dearer thou, than Friendship art!
More tender spirit in thy eyes!

More sweet emotions at the heart!

O, come, with Goodness in thy Train! With Peace, and Pleasure void of storm! And wouldst thou me for ever gain;

Put on AMANDA's winning form!

TO SERAPHINA.

THE Wanton's charms, however bright,
Are like the false illusive light;
Whose flatt'ring unauspicious blaze,

To precipices oft betrays.

But that sweet ray your beauties dart,
Which clears the mind, and cleans the heart,

Is like the sacred Queen of Night:

Who pours a lovely gentle light

Wide o'er the dark; by wanderers blest,
Conducting them to peace and rest.

A vicious love depraves the mind!
'Tis Anguish, Guilt, and Folly joined!
But SERAPHINA's eyes dispense
A mild and gracious influence;
Such as, in visions, Angels shed
Around the heaven-illumined head.
To love thee, SERAPHINA! sure,
Is to be tender, happy, pure!
'Tis from low Passions to escape;
And woo bright Virtue's fairest shape!
'Tis ecstasy, with wisdom joined ;
And Heaven infused into the mind!

THANKS, CHLOE! Thy coquetting art, At length, hath healed my love-sick heart! At length, thy slave is free! I feel no tyrant's proud control! I feel no inmate in my soul But Peace and Liberty!

'Put on thy looks of cold disdain;
Or speak respectful! 'Tis in vain!
Nor frowns, nor smiles can move!
Those lips no more have words to bind!
Those eyes no more have light to find
The path that leads to Love!

But still I hear you, smiling, say, "'Tis sign you've flung your chains away; You take such pains to show them!" Why, CHLOE! there's a fond delight, Our former dangers to recite;

And let our neighbours know them!

'After the thunder of the wars;
The Vet'ran thus displays his scars,
And tells you of his pains!
The Galley Slave, enslaved no more,
Shows you the shackles which he wore,
And where their mark remains!

'For me, I quit a fickle Fair! CHLOE has lost a heart sincere!

Who first should sing Te Deum? You'll never find so true a Swain! But women full as false and vain, By dozens one may see them!'

DEAR GRAY! that always in my heart
Possessest far the better part,

What mean these sudden blasts that rise
And drive the Zephyrs from the skies?
O, join with mine, thy tuneful Lay,
And invocate the tardy May!

Come, fairest Nymph! resume thy reign! Bring all the Graces in thy Train!