BLACK-EYED SUSAN. "O Susan, Susan! lovely dear, My vows shall ever true remain; Let me kiss off that falling tear; We only part to meet again. Change as ye list, winds! ye my heart shall be The faithful compass that still points to thee. "Believe not what the landsmen say, Who tempt with doubts thy constant mind; They'll tell thee, sailors, when away, In every port a mistress find: Yes, yes! believe them when they tell thee so, "If to fair India's coast we sail, 66 Thy eyes are seen in diamonds bright Thy breath is Afric's spicy gale, Thy skin is ivory so white. Thus every beauteous object that I view Wakes in my soul some charm of lovely Sue. Though battle call me from thy arms, Let not my pretty Susan mourn ; Though cannons roar, yet, safe from harms, William shall to his dear return. Love turns aside the balls that round me fly, The boatswain gave the dreadful word, The sails their swelling bosom spread; No longer must she stay aboard: They kiss'd, she sigh'd, he hung his head. Her lessening boat unwilling rows to land: "Adieu!" she cries; and wav'd her lily hand. There beauteous Emma flourish'd fair, Whose only wish on earth was now The softest blush that Nature spreads Gave colour to her cheek; Such orient colour smiles through heav'n, When vernal mornings break. Nor let the pride of great ones scorn This charmer of the plains: That sun, which bids their diamonds blaze, To paint our lily deigns. Long had she fill'd each youth with love, Each maiden with despair; And though by all a wonder own'd, Yet knew not she was fair: EDWIN AND EMMA. Till Edwin came, the pride of swains, And from whose eye, serenely mild, A mutual flame was quickly caught, That virtue keeps conceal'd. What happy hours of heart-felt bliss His sister, who, like Envy form'd, To work them harm, with wicked skill Her father, too, a sordid man, Who love nor pity knew, Long had he seen their secret flame, In Edwin's gentle heart a war Of differing passions strove · |