THE FAIR STRANGER; A SONG by JOHN DRYDEN

1

HAPPY and free, securely blest,
No Beauty could disturb my Rest;
My am'rous Heart was in Despair,
To find a new victorious Fair:

2

Till you, descending on our Plains,
With foreign Force renew my Chains;
Where now you rule without Controul,
The mighty Sov'reign of my Soul.

3

Your Smiles have more of conqu'ring Charm
Than all your Native Country's Arms:
Their Troops we can expel with Ease,
Who vanquish only when we please.

4

But in your Eyes, oh, there's the Spell!
Who can see them, and not rebel?
You make us Captives by your Stay,
Yet kill us if you go away.

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