[Tea-Table Miscellany Contents]
PAin’d with her slighting Jamie’s love,
Bell dropt a tear – Bell dropt a tear,
The Gods descended from above,
Well pleas’d to hear – Well pleas’d to hear,
They heard the praises of the youth
From her own tongue – from her own tongue,
Who now converted was to truth,
And thus she sung – and thus the sung.
–
Blest days when our ingenous sex,
More frank and kind – more frank and kind,
Did not their lov’d adorers vex;
But spoke their mind – but spoke their mind.
Repenting now, she promis’d fair,
Wou’d he return – wou’d he return,
She ne’er again wou’d give him care,
Or cause him mourn – or cause him mourn.
–
Why lov’d I thee deserving swain,
Yet still thought shame, – yet still thought shame,
When he my yielding heart did gain,
To own my flame – to own my flame?
Why took I pleasure to torment,
And seem too coy – and seem too coy?
Which makes me now alas lament
My slighted joy – my slighted joy.
–
Ye fair, while beauty’s in its spring,
Own your desire – own your desire,
While love’s young power with his soft wing
Fans up the fire – fans up the fire.
O do not with a silly pride,
Or low design – or low design,
Refuse to be a happy bride,
But answer plain – but answer plain.
–
Thus the fair mourner wail’d her crime,
With flowing eyes – with flowing eyes.
Glad Jamie heard her all the time,
With sweet surprise – with sweet surprise.
Some God had led him to the grove;
His mind unchang’d – his mind unchang’d,
Flew to her arms, and cry’d, my love,
I am reveng’d – I am reveng’d!