A GAY carnation tempting bright

A GAY carnation tempting bright I pluck'd with eager care, Thy sweets, I cried, thus cull'd by love, Shall deck my fair one's hair.

But ah! a vile destroying worm, Who shelter'd in the leaf, Had rob'd me of the pristine joy And prov'd the lucky thief.

So beauteous nymphs too oft are found The basest men to trust, While constant lovers plead in vain And die for being just.