12. No, for myself so dark my fate Through every turn of life hath been; Man and the world I so much hate, I care not when I quit the scene. 13. But thou, with spirit frail and light, 14. Alas! whenever folly calls Where parasites and princes meet, (For cherish'd first in royal halls, The welcome vices kindly greet.) 15. E'en now thou'rt nightly seen to add One insect to the fluttering crowd, And still thy trifling heart is glad, To join the vain and court the proud. 16. There dost thou glide from fair to fair, As flies along the gay parterre, That taint the flowers they scarcely taste. 17. But say, what nymph will prize the flame Which seems, as marshy vapours move, To flit along from dame to dame, An ignis-fatuus gleam of love? 18. What friend for thee, howe'er inclin❜d, Will deign to own a kindred care? Who will debase his manly mind, For friendship every fool may share. 19. In time forbear; amidst the throng Be something, any thing, but-mean. To * XX. 1. Well! thou art happy, and I feel 2. Thy husband's blest-and 'twill impart Some pangs to view his happier lot: But let them pass-Oh! how my heart Would hate him, if he lov'd thee not! 3. 'When late I saw thy favourite child, I thought my jealous heart would break; But when th' unconscious infant smil'd, I kiss'd it, for its mother's sake. 4. I kiss'd it, and repress'd my sighs But then it had its mother's eyes, And they were all to love and me, 5. Mary, adieu! I must away: While thou art blest I'll not repine; But near thee I can never stay; My heart would soon again be thine. |