The Poetical Works of Beattie, Blair, and Falconer - With Lives, Critical Dissertations, and Explanatory Notes by Unknown
page 274 of 412 (66%)
page 274 of 412 (66%)
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This genuine passion, nature's eldest born!
'Twas his with lasting anguish to complain, While blooming Anna mourn'd the cause in vain. Graceful of form, by nature taught to please, 240 Of power to melt the female breast with ease; To her Palemon told his tender tale, Soft as the voice of summer's evening gale: His soul, where moral truth spontaneous grew, No guilty wish, no cruel passion knew: Though tremblingly alive to nature's laws, Yet ever firm to honour's sacred cause; O'erjoy'd he saw her lovely eyes relent, The blushing maiden smiled with sweet consent. Oft in the mazes of a neighbouring grove 250 Unheard they breathed alternate vows of love: By fond society their passion grew, Like the young blossom fed with vernal dew; While their chaste souls possess'd the pleasing pains That truth improves, and virtue ne'er restrains. In evil hour the officious tongue of fame Betray'd the secret of their mutual flame. With grief and anger struggling in his breast, Palemon's father heard the tale confest: Long had he listen'd with suspicion's ear, 260 And learn'd, sagacious, this event to fear. Too well, fair youth! thy liberal heart he knew, A heart to nature's warm impressions true: Full oft his wisdom strove with fruitless toil With avarice to pollute that generous soil: That soil, impregnated with nobler seed, |
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