A Song, to the Tune of Bonny Jane

When softest Slumbers lull'd my Pain, And downy Sleep becalm'd my Breast; Free from Love's tyrannick Chain, To sooth my Cares in balmy Rest.

The wily God withdrew his Dart, That silent, lonely Moment chose, To ease a while my bleeding Heart, And give my aking Sense repose.

But ah! how vain the short respite, The busy mocking Boy bestows, Returning with redoubl'd might, His dreadful Shaft unerring throws.

My fleeting fancy on the Wing; Delusive Ideas wrought, Her lovely Image soon did bring, And rais'd the fair one in my thought.

She seem'd some Being from above, Her melting presence shone Divine, Her mein exprest the Queen of Love Her radiant Eyes like Stars did shine.

What raptures fill'd my ravish'd mind, When I beheld her Angel's form. Her glancing smiles bespoke her kind, And hid alas! her killing scorn.

With winged Arms I quickly flew, To grasp her to my melting Heart, Unhappy Swain I little knew, My coming woe and future smart.

With sullen frowns and haughty Face, She shew'd her proud and strange Surprize, And turning from my fond embrace, She veil'd the Lustre of her Eyes.

So o'er the face of April Sun, Some dark and gloomy Cloud is spread, Which blots the chearful ray at Noon, And fills the Shepherds Heart with dread.

Or as a Merchant from the Shore, Who discrys the precious Sail, When pregnant with the pearly Ore, And wafted by a peaceful Gale,

With joy he waits the welcome Ship, And views her from the verdant Brink, Glide smoothly through the yeilding Deep, And in one fatal Moment sink.

Like him bereav'd and in despair, With grief I loudly did complain, And in my Transports beat the Air, But gladly found it was a Dream.