Classic Poem

IN CLUMP AND CUDDEN .

A novice in love, and a stranger to art,
As pure as my wishes my unpractis'd heart;
When I rose with the lark, and out-warbled the thrush,
Free from falshood or guile, for I knew not to blush:
Those past days I deplore.

When innocence guarded my unfullied fame,
When to think, and to act, and commend were the same:
When on my face,
In artless grace,
Danc'd frolic sport and pleasure — now no more.

II.

Ere I listen'd and lov'd, ere man smil'd, and betray'd,
Ere by horror appall'd, and of conscience afraid;
Lost to each fond delight that e'er woman adorn'd,
By a hard-judging world look'd at, pity'd, and scorn'd,
Those past joys I deplore:

Those joys, ere by man's artful treachery forsook,
Which, guiltless and pleased, with the world I partook;
When on my face,
With artless grace,
Danc'd frolic sport and pleasure — now no more.