Classic Poem

Ye dreams of bliss, and flatt'ring hopes, that wont
With momentary joy to ease my care,
Where are ye now? and what is your amount?
Vexation, disappointment, and despair.

Well-pleas'd, I saw your airy bubbles blown,
Seemingly fair, and deck'd with many a ray;
But, lo! the tempest rose, and they were gone,
Broke and evanish'd in a single day.

Peace, base-born wishes, sprung from selfish pride!
Will fate reverse her positive decree?
You hill divides us, and will still divide,
Nor bend its lordly brow to pleasure me.

Yes, far beyond yon hill's aspiring height,
Which, to the orient, bounds our utmost view,
Where other streams reflect the morning light,
And other mountains are array'd in blue;

M IRA now listens to the midnight knell,
By little rills that mimic Maiden 's flow;
And bids sublimely sad the spinet swell,
The solemn notes of sympathetic woe.

Enough, dear maid! to constancy and love,
To tender parents surely something's due;
Let others taste the joys I cannot prove,
The happy man whom fortune means for you.

O! bring not down, with unavailing tears,
Their hoary heads with sorrow to the grave;
Let not thy grief afflict the full-of-years,
But grant the grandson whom they justly crave,

One thought is all I ask; if marriage vows,
And jealous H YMEN , shall admit of one;
One only thought, in mem'ry of my woes,
One thought, in pity of a wretch undone.