Classic Poem

With cruel coyness, and averted charms,
Thou veils't, my love, that peerless face in vain,
Thy beauty, tho' eclips'd, still deeply warms,
And tho' thine eye be clos'd, its wounds remain.

Say, does the virgin-spring less clearly flow,
When I have quaff'd its pure, chrystalline tide?
Less fragrance does yon violet-bank bestow,
Tho' its free perfumes scent the desart wide?

Tho' thou may'st cover from my fond survey,
That snowey mount, those swelling orbs of love,
Oh! fairer than the fabled milky way,
Where H EBE spill'd the nectar'd cup of J OVE ;

Thou can'st not hinder, when the wanton wind
From thy loose tresses tears their golden string,
My am'rous glance to grasp, all unconfin'd,
Thy smooth neck, fan'd by F LORA'S rosey wing.

Thou can'st not hinder my insatiate gaze,
To feed upon the apples of thy cheek,
Whose native hue a softer blush betrays,
Than ripens in the pearmain's ruddy streak.

Yes, I may trace thy temple's polish'd white,
Thrid with transparent lines, meand'ring blue,
Or dare thy radiant eyes, serenely bright,
Their silken shadows lightly gleaming thro'.

Yes, tho' forbid to feast a keener sense,
Thou can'st not render totally unseen,
Those lips, defended by a pearly fence,
Red as the chizzel'd Ruby's bleeding vein.

But ev'n should Absence tear thee from my sight,
My longing sight, that languishes for bliss,
Kind Dreams would still renew the dear delight,
And airy Slumbers mould the glowing kiss.

Then hope not, from my view thy charms to hide,
Tho' Magic fold thee in a cloudy vest;
But, should'st thou feel vain fears of maiden-pride,
Oh! safest hide them in my faithful breast.