But why bite those lips? Why with hint My fidelity question, unfair? Yes, her red ruby lips did I print, But her name-will I never declare. Maid belov'd! without thee, while alone In this cot doom'd existence to bear, Thro' each moment of absence I moan With a grief ask me not to declare. Thus at length behold Hafiz, whose song Has so frequently flow'd void of care, Whirl'd by Love's tender passion along With a force ask me not to declare COLIN'S COMPLAINT, A SONG. Despairing beside a clear stream, Alas, silly swain that I was! Thus sadly complaining he cry'd, I listen'd, and cry'd, when she sung, How foolish was I to believe She could doat on so lowly a crown, Or that her fond heart would not grieve, To forsake the fine folk of the town? To think that a beauty so gay, So kind and so constant would prove Or go clad like our maidens in gray, Or live in a cottage on love? What though I have skill to complain, Though the Muses my temple have crown'd; What though when they hear my soft strain; The virgins sit weeping around. Ah, Colin, thy hopes are in vain, Thy false one inclines to a swain, And you, mỹ companions so dear, Forbear to accuse the false maid. Though through the wide world I should range, 'Tis in vain my fortune to fly, 'Twas hers to be false and to change, Tis mine to be constant and die. If while my hard fate I sustain, In her breast any pity is found Let her come with the nymphs of the plain, And see me lay low in the ground. To think that a beauty so gay, So kind and so constant would prove What though I have skill to complain, Though the Muses my temple have crown'd; What though when they hear my soft strain, The virgins sit weeping around. Ah, Colin, thy hopes are in vain, And you, my companions so dear, Forbear to accuse the false maid. Though through the wide world I should 'Tis in vain my fortune to fly, 'Twas hers to be false and to change, 'Tis mine to be constant and die. If while my hard fate I sustain, In her breast any pity is found range; Let her come with the nymphs of the plain, And see me lay low in the ground. N |