George Crabbe

The Wish

  [Woodbridge, about 1774]

  My Mira, shepherds, is as fair
    As sylvan nymphs who haunt the vale,
  As sylphs who dwell in purest air,
    As fays who skim the dusky dale,
  As Venus was when Venus fled
  From watery Triton's oozy bed.

  My Mira, shepherds, has a voice
    As soft as Syrinx in her grove,
  As sweet as echo makes her choice,
    As mild as whispering virgin-love;
  As gentle as the winding stream
  Or fancy's song when poets dream.