POEMS.
13
PLEASURE AND DESIRE.
In yonder bower lies Pleasure Sleeping,
And near him mourns a blooming maid!
He will not wake, and She sits weeping,
When lo! a stranger proffers aid:
His hurried step, his glance of fire
The God of wishes wild declare!
—"Fond Pleasure wake!" exclaims Desire,
And Pleasure wakes to bless the fair.
And near him mourns a blooming maid!
He will not wake, and She sits weeping,
When lo! a stranger proffers aid:
His hurried step, his glance of fire
The God of wishes wild declare!
—"Fond Pleasure wake!" exclaims Desire,
And Pleasure wakes to bless the fair.
But soon the nymph in evil hour,
Desire asleep is doomed to view;
—"Try, Pleasure, try," she cries, "your power,
"And wake Desire, as He woke you."—
Fond girl, thy prayer exceeds all measure,
Distinct must each his province keep:
Desire must still awaken Pleasure,
And Pleasure lull Desire to sleep[1].
Desire asleep is doomed to view;
—"Try, Pleasure, try," she cries, "your power,
"And wake Desire, as He woke you."—
Fond girl, thy prayer exceeds all measure,
Distinct must each his province keep:
Desire must still awaken Pleasure,
And Pleasure lull Desire to sleep[1].
- ↑ Since writing the above lines I met with some French stanzas on the same idea, but in what book I cannot re-
