English poem
A Maid I Love
by Anonymous
A Maid I love who loves not me, Yet to my friend is kind; But thus I'll let my charmer see, I'm to my fate resign'd: To means as delicate as new, Ideas soft ascend; To shew myself a lover true, I'll be a lover's friend: Beat gentle love and friendship sweet, In unison divine; In Sinclair still a friend I'll meet, And Mary still is mine.
Burn, gen'rous flame within my breast, Still constant, bright, and pure; Ah! let me see another blest, And still my pains endure: Each selfish thought my mind above, Be these my joys alone; The happiness of those I love Preferring to my own. Beat, gentle love, &c.