Classic Poem

Upon quitting his Mistress.

I KNOW , Celinda, I have borne too long,
And by forgiving have increas'd my wrong;
Yet if there be a power in verse to slack
Thy course in vice, or bring fled virtue back.
I'll undertake the task, howe'er so hard;
A generous action is its own reward.
Oh! were thy virtues equal to thy charms,
I'd fly from crowns to live within those arms:
But who, oh! who can e'er believe thee just,
When such known falsehoods have destroy'd all trust?

Farewel, false fair! nor shall I longer stay:
Since we must part, why should we thus delay?
Your love alone was what my soul could prize;
And missing that, can all the rest despise:
Yet should I not repent my follies past,
Could you take up, and grow reserv'd at last:
'Twould please me, parted from your fatal charms,
To see you happy in another's arms.
Whatever threatenings fury might extort,
Oh fear not I should ever do you hurt:
For though my former passion is remov'd,
I would not injure one I once had lov'd.
Adieu while thus I waste my time in vain,
Sure there are maids I might entirely gain:
I'll search for such, and to the first that's true,
Resign the heart so hardly freed from you.