Classic Poem

In early youth Clorinda 's chains I wore,
And still unchang'd the lovely fair adore:
No other female charms have pow'r to please,
And make me languish in inglorious ease;
No other nymph in country, town, or court,
Where gentle belles, and gentler beaux resort,
Tho' practis'd in the soft inveigling art,
Can boast a conquest o'er my faithful heart.

May the bright lustre of her sparkling eyes
Have pow'r to make no other slave her prize!
May no conceited fop her favour boast,
But think she scarce deserves to be a toast!

Bless'd with the presence of this lovely maid,
I'd leave the world, and seek some lonely shade;
Her charms would cast a round refulgent light,
And gild the dusky horrors of the night.
In her sweet converse ages I could pass,
Nor wish old time to shake his sandy glass.
When false to this dear idol of my soul,
The needle shall not tremble to the pole,

Tho' Venus crown'd with her immortal charms
Should condescend to court me to her arms,
Her art divine would ineffectual prove,
Nor could her beauty make me change my love.
Fool that I am my passion to reveal,
And let Clorinda know the pangs I feel!
The haughty fair will triumph in my pain,
And with contempt her lover's vows disdain:
Yet will I love, nor cherish black despair,
But wait till nature make her kind as fair.