264. Song—On a Bank of Flowers
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N a bank of flowers, in a summer day, For summer lightly drest,The youthful, blooming Nelly lay, With love and sleep opprest;When Willie, wand’ring thro’ the wood,Who for her favour oft had sued; He gaz’d, he wish’d He fear’d, he blush’d,And trembled where he stood. Her closèd eyes, like weapons sheath’d, Were seal’d in soft repose;Her lip, still as she fragrant breath’d, It richer dyed the rose;The springing lilies, sweetly prest,Wild-wanton kissed her rival breast; He gaz’d, he wish’d, He mear’d, he blush’d,His bosom ill at rest. Her robes, light-waving in the breeze, Her tender limbs embrace;Her lovely form, her native ease, All harmony and grace;Tumultuous tides his pulses roll,A faltering, ardent kiss he stole; He gaz’d, he wish’d, He fear’d, he blush’d,And sigh’d his very soul. As flies the partridge from the brake, On fear-inspired wings,So Nelly, starting, half-awake, Away affrighted springs;But Willie follow’d-as he should,He overtook her in the wood; He vow’d, he pray’d, He found the maidForgiving all, and good.
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