When gloomy thoughts possess

When gloomy thoughts possess, Alike in palace, plain or grove; Fond sighs my grief and pangs express, And plaintive songs of joyless love.

When doubts impatient rend my heart, As rends the hawk the turtle dove; Indignant from each wound I start, And sing the wrongs of injured love.

But should my pangs, endur'd so long, The cruel fates to mercy move; I'd gladly change the mournful song, And jocund sing the joys of love.