Classic Poem

I.

In vain your Eyes on others shine,
 Shed fruitlesly their Moisture too,
Which are ungrateful yet to mine,
 Which, for Love of them, overflow;
So, whilst the grateful Earth lies dry, the Rain
Falls on the seas, or Barren Rocks in vain:

II.

The Sun, the Heaven's Bright Eye, so,
 Oft shines, and Clouds shed Show'rs in vain;
Its Heat, their Moisture so bestow,
 On what makes no Returns again;
Whilst that the Teeming Earth, lies dry, and burns,
Which to its Warmth, their Show'rs wou'd make Returns:

III.

O'er-flowings of thy Bright Eyes, so
 Fall, for the Rocky Heart, in vain;
Which no Returns will make to you,
 Whilst I, who wou'd, can none obtain;
Am but made sadder, by that fruitless Cloud,
Of your Eyes, which shed Show'rs, for others Good:

IV.

Thus Heav'n, the next Bright Thing, to Thee,
 A Niggard, to the parch'd Earth grows,
Pours freely Rain into the Sea,
 Which, but in vain, the Decks o'er-flows,
To make the half-drown'd Sailor curse the Rain,
Pray'd for in vain still, by the burnt-up Swain.