A Man in Love

The man who feels the dear disease, Forgets himself, neglects to please: The crowd avoids and seeks the groves, And much he thinks when much he loves; Press'd with alternate hope and fear, Sighs in her absence, sighs when she is near. The gay, the fond, the fair, the young, Those trifles pass unseen along; To him a pert, insipid throng. But most he shuns the vain coquet; Contemns her false affected wit: The minstrels sound, the flowing bowl Oppress and hurt the am'rous soul. 'Tis solitude alone can please, And give some intervals of ease. He feeds the soft distemper there, And fondly courts the distant fair; To balls the silent shade prefers, And hates all other charms but hers. When thus your absent swain can do, Molly, you may believe him true.