ELEGY. ('Tis fate commands—reluctant I depart)

'Tis fate commands—reluctant I depart, Adieu, ye scenes, where powerful beauty reigns, Where Delia dwells, the mistress of my heart, Delia, the glory of Silurian plains!

From her I part for seven long months at least, And bid at once to her and joy farewell: Adieu, thou peaceful sunshine of the breast, That deign'd, while Delia near, with me to dwell!

Ah me! what woes in absence lovers prove! Some happier youth may boldly speak his care, May strive to win my Delia's soul to love, And she perchance may lend a listening ear.

Fool that I was, still silent to abide, Yet eloquence itself were vain, I fear, Since I've no other charms defects to hide, Nor aught to boast of, but that I'm sincere.

Oh! had sincerity suffic'd alone, Alone o'er lovely Delia to prevail! Boldly ere now my passion I had shown, And she with tenderness had heard my tale.

With her, perchance, where Wye's clear waters roll, Along the flowery mead I might have stray'd; From her perchance some pleasing grace have stole, And learn'd perfection from my lovely maid.

Did she in absence know how I'm distress'd, In absence know what pangs for her I prove, For her how frequent sighs my bleeding breast, At least she'd pity, if she cannot love.

While round the board the sparkling bumpers pass, And cheerful friends demand a toast from me, I to some other nymph fill up the glass, But while I drink it, Delia, think on thee.

Come, Daphnis, give a social song, they cry, To speed with mirth the evening hours away; In vain I with their wishes would comply, To plaintive notes I sing some lovesick lay.

Yet oft I shun those friends, whom most I prize, My taste for mirth and conversation gone, Even the quaint joke, and wit I now despise, And love to wander pensively alone.

When the chaste moon her silver beams displays, To hear the distant waters roll along, I stray, to hear the cattle wandering graze, And give attention to the night-bird's song.

Awhile the stranger sleep my eye-lid flies, At length the loiterer to return will deign, Silent he steals upon my wearied eyes, Then fancy holds her visionary reign.

She paints my Delia overwhelm'd with woes, And me she arms to guard my lovely maid, Numbers she makes my single arm oppose, Then shows her render'd happy by my aid.

Then brings she milder scenes of soft delight, My Delia's form before me stands confess'd, Bland look her glossy eyes with lustre bright, Her dark hair flowing on her snowy breast.

With Delia's sweetness makes she Delia speak, " Daphnis! what anxious care thy bosom moves!" To her my passion I all fearful break, She hears; attends me, and with smiles approves.

Now from the east breaks forth the grey-ey'd morn, On night's departing wings the vision flies, The bitter woes of absence now return, And tears stand trembling in my cheated eyes.

Come then; sweet Hope! in youthful smiles appear, Oh! make slow-lingering time more swiftly move, Fortune is old, and Age, with looks severe, Frowns at the name of lover, and of love.