23

'Tis night, when Meditation bids us feel

We once have lov'd, thoug hlove is at an end:
The heart, lone mourner of its baffled zeal,
Though friendless now, will dream it had a friend.
Who with the weight of years would wish to bend,
When outh itself survives young !ove and "oy#
$las% when mingling souls forget to blend,
&eath hath but little left him to destroy%
$h% ha''y years% once more who would not be a boy#
3(
)ot much he *ens, + ween, of woman's breast,
Who thin*s that wanton thing is won by sighs,
Who careth she for hearts when once 'ossess'd#
&o 'ro'er homage to thine idol's eyes,
-ut not too humbly, or she will des'ise
Thee and thy suit, though told in moving tro'es:
&isguise ev'n tenderness, if thou art wise,
-ris* .onfidence still best with woman co'es,
/i0ue her and soothe in turn, soon /assion crowns thy ho'es.