Classic Poem

O happy youth, who now possest
Of my Maria's smiles are blest;
Think not thy joys will constant prove;
How many changes are in love!
I once was happy too like thee,
That sun of beauty shone on me:
In darkness ever to deplore,
The sun is set to shine no more;
Doom'd ne'er to view the rising light,
But weep out love's eternal night.
When first I spread the lover's sail,
Love blew from shore a friendly gale;
Sweet appear'd the' inchanting scene,
All calm below, above serene:
Joyous I made before the wind,
Heedless of what I left behind;
Nor rocks, nor quicksands did I dread,
No adverse winds to check my speed;
No savage pirate did I fear,
To ravish all my soul held dear,
Far off my treasure to convey,
And sell in foreign lands away:
Maria's hand unfurl'd the sails,
Her prayers invok'd the springing gales:
'Twas calm whate'er her eyes survey'd,
Her voice the raging storm obey'd;
And o'er the bosom of the tides,
Her will the ruling rudder guides.
But ah! the change, she flies away,
And will vouchsafe no longer stay.
See now the swelling seas arise,
Loud storming winds enrage the skies.
All weak the tempest to withstand,
Trembling and pale I put to land.
Wet from the tossing surge, aghast
I thank the gods, the danger's past;
And swear to venture out no more,
Secure upon the safer shore;
Yet should the swelling seas subside,
And roll serene a silver tide;
Should yet the angry tempest cease,
And gently breathe a gale of peace;
Much, much I fear, I'd dare again
A second shipwreck on the main.