And, " Ah, forgive a stranger rude,

« A wealthy lord was he; “ And all his wealth was mark'd as mine;

“ He had but only me.

« To win me from his tender arms,

« Unnumber'd suitors came;

* Who prais'd me for imputed charms,

“ And felt, or feign'd, a flame.

R

1

“ Each hour a mercenary crowd

« With richest proffers strove:

“ Among the rest young Edwin bow'd,

« But never talk'd of love.

“ In humble, simplest habit clad,

“ Nor wealth nor power had he; “ Wisdom and worth were all he had,

« But these were all to me,

« The blossom opening to the day,

" The dews of heav'n refin'd,

“ Could nought of purity display,

“ To emulate his mind.

« The dew, the blossom on the tree,

“ With charms inconstant shine:

« Their charms were his, but, woe to me!

6 Their constancy was mine.

« For still I try'd each fickle art,

“ Importunate and vain; « And while his passion touch'd my heart,

“ I triumph'd in his pain :

“ Till quite dejected with my scorn,

“ He left me to my pride;

“ And sought a solitude forlorn,

“ In secret, where he dy'd.

66 But mine the sorrow,

mine the fault,

“ And well my life shall pay;

« I'll seek the solitude he sought,

“ And stretch me where he lay.

66 And there forlorn, despairing, hid,

« I'll lay me down and die;

.66 'Twas so for me that Edwin did,

" And so for him will I,"

6 Forbid it, heav'n!" the Hermit cry'd,

And clasp'd her to his breast:

The wond'ring fair-one turn'd to chide....

'Twas Edwin's self that prest!

“ Turn, Angelina, ever dear,

“ My charmer, turn to see

“ Thy own, thy long-lost Edwin here,

“ Restor'd to love and thee.

« Thus let me hold thee to my heart,

“ And every care resign."

« And shall we never, never part,

“ My life....my all that's mine?”

“ No, never, from this hour to part,

* We'll live and love so true: ,

« The sigh that rends thy constant heart,

“ Shall break thy Edwin's too."

TALES, ELEGIES, SONGS,

PROLOGUES, &c.