PAGE THE GOLDFINCH. ALINNET's nest with anxious care, Young Strephon one day found me, When instantly the plunder'd pair, Alas! if to give pain, cry'd he, My love for you has wrought me: You have so often taught me. This This said-like lightning back he flew, The linnets kept their young in view, And Strephon was well pleas'd to find you OU ask me, sweet maid, if my vows are sincere,.. And call for some proof of my love; Still doubting my passion, I see but too clear, Or if, as you say, lovers' vows are but breath, And I'll brave it, though circl'd by peril or death, But this, this, believe me, can poorly express, Nay, bid me some action or enterprise dare, And if still a doubt in thy faney remains, O fetter me more, if you can, with your chains, But this, this, believe me, &c. O let Olet my fond vows some favour obtain, Accept them, dear girl, and to banish my pain, A promise, so soft, that no words can define, That now you believe what no words can express, How truly, how dearly I love thee. YES, yes, be merciless, thou tempest dire; Unaw'd, unshelter'd, I thy fury brave; I'll bare my bosom to thy forked fire, Let it but guide me to Alonzo's grave! O'er his pale corse then while thy lightnings glare I'll press his clay-cold limbs, and perish there. But thou wilt wake again, my boy, Again thou❜lt rise to life and joy, Thy father never !— Thy laughing eyes will meet the light, Veils his for ever. On yon green bed of moss there lies my child, Oh! safer lies from these chill'd arms apart, He sleeps, sweet lamb! nor heeds the tempest wild, Oh! sweeter sleeps than near this breaking heart. Alas! alas! my babe, if thou would'st peaceful rest, Thy cradle must not be thy mother's breast. Yet thou wilt wake again, &c. AH! tell me, ye swains, have you seen my Pastora? O say, have you met the sweet nymph on your way? Transcendant as Venus, and blithe as Aurora, stream. Though lordlings so gay, and young 'squires have sought her, To link her fair hand in the conjugal chain; Devoid of ambition, the cottager's daughter Convinc'd them their offers and flattery were vain : When first I beheld her I fondly besought her, My heart did her homage,and love was my theme, She vow'd to be mine,the sweet cottager's daughter, That dwells on the borders of Aln's winding stream. Then why thus alone does she leave me to languish? Pastora to splendor could near yield her hand; Ah! no, she returns to heal my sad anguish, O'er her heart love and truth retain the com mand: The wealth of Golconda could never have bought her, For love, truth, and constancy still is my theme, Then give me, kind heaven, the cottager's daughter, That dwells on the borders of Aln's winding stream. AID |