Poem by Anna Laetitia Barbauld

Song 2 (IF ever thou didst joy to bind)

IF ever thou didst joy to bind
Two hearts in equal pasion join'd,
O son of Venus! hear me now,
And bid Florella bless my vow.

If any bliss reserv'd for me
Thou in the leaves of fate should'st see;
If any white propitious hour,
Pregnant with hoarded joys in store;

Now, now the mighty treasure give,
In her for whom alone I live;
In sterling love pay all the sum,
And I'll absolve the fates to come.

In all the pride of full-blown charms
Yield her, relenting, to my arms:
Her bosom touch with soft desires,
And let her feel what she inspires.

But, Cupid, if thine aid be vain
The dear reluctant maid to gain;
If still with cold averted eyes
She dash my hopes, and scorn my sighs;

O! grant ('tis all I ask of thee)
That I no more may change than she;
But still with duteous zeal love on,
When every gleam of hope is gone.

Leave me then alone to languish;
Think not time can heal my anguish;
Pity the woes which I endure;
But never, never grant a cure. 

1. On the Death of Mrs. Martineau, Senr.
2. The Wake of the King of Spain
3. To Mrs. Marissal
4. To Dr. A.
5. The Death of Virtuous

Print

1537 Views

Last Poems

To Russian version