Page:The Poets and Poetry of the West.djvu/92

7G WILLIAM R. SCHENCK. [1820-30. So while youth lasts, with beauty and FRIENDSHIP, LOVE AND BEAUTY. friendship I'll rove. Since first I have reasoned and felt as a man, For, oh ! what is life without Friendship I have loved all that's lovely, I love all I can; and Love ? I've been jilted and smiled on, by turns, as a lover, And yet my wild race of mad folly's not U V CI • From pleasure to pleasure still heedless WOMAN. I rove, For, oh ! what is life without Beauty Yes, rail against woman — her arts and her and Love ? wiles. Her treachery, falsehood, and snares ; Misanthropes, of envy and hatred the slaves, Then find if you can, a bahn hke her Preach that women are fickle, and men are smiles. all knaves ; A charm like her love that the bosom be- But while I've a friend that will bravely guiles. and nobly Of its deepest and deadliest cares. Stand firm to my cause, and a girl that is lovely. What were man — lordly man, unbless'd From pleasure to pleasure still heedless and alone. I'll rove, Condemned o'er life's desert to rove ; For, oh ! what is life without Friendship What would urge him to glory, to honor, and Love? renown, If beauty's bright glance on his pathway Though Eliza's light vows were as fickle ne'er shone. as air, Nor bless'd by her smiles and her love. And when absent from Anna, my love was forgot, Ah yes, lovely sex! 'tis to you that we Should the arts or the falsehoods of those owe perjured fair All the blessings this world can impart. The whole female page with inconstancy All the pleasures that love and content- blot? ment bestow. No ! perish the thought that would law- All that gives to existence a charm here less thus rove. below. For, oh ! what is life without Beauty and All the joys that are dear to the heart. Love? And perish the wretch, unmanly and base, This life's but a shadow on Time's rugged Undistinguished in hfe, and unhonored face. in death And those hours how short that with plea- (May his name be forever deep marked sure we trace ; with disgrace, Then youth is the season for love and de- Till fame shaU with horror the characters light. trace). Ere old age gathers o'er us the dark cloud Who would tarnish thy name with his of night; slanderous breath.