1 A NYMPH of every charm possess'd, That native virtue gives, Within my bosom all confess'd, In bright idea lives. For her my trembling numbers play Along the pathless deep, While, sadly social with my lay, The winds in concert weep. 2 If beauty's sacred influence charms The rage of adverse fate; Say why the pleasing soft alarms Such cruel pangs create? Since all her thoughts by sense refined, Unartful truth express; Say wherefore sense and truth are join'd To give my soul distress? 3 If when her blooming lips I press, Which vernal fragrance fills, Through all my veins the sweet excess In trembling motion thrills; Say whence this secret anguish grows, Congenial with my joy? And why the touch, where pleasure glows, Should vital peace destroy? 4 If, when my fair, in melting song, Awakes the vocal lay, Not all your notes, ye Phocian throng, Such pleasing sounds convey; Thus wrapt all o'er with fondest love, Why heaves this broken sigh? For then my blood forgets to move, I gaze, adore, and die. 5 Accept, my charming maid, the strain Which you alone inspire; To thee the dying strings complain That quiver on my lyre. O give this bleeding bosom ease, That knows no joy but thee; Teach me thy happy art to please, Or deign to love like me. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ODE TO TRANQUILLITY by SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE IN THE GARDEN (1) by EMILY DICKINSON ELEGY: 3. CHANGE by JOHN DONNE MY CREED by HOWARD ARNOLD WALTER SONNETS OF MANHOOD: 5. ETERNAL by GEORGE BARLOW (1847-1913) |