Classic Poem

How far are they deceived who hope in vain
A lasting lease of joys from love t'obtain!
All the dear sweets we promise or expect,
After enjoyment, turn to cold neglect.
Could love a constant happiness have known,
The mighty wonder had in me been shown.
Our passions were so favoréd by Fate,
As if she meant 'em an eternal date;
So kind he looked, such tender words he spoke,
'Twas past belief such vows should e'er be broke.
Fixed on my eyes, how often would he say
He could with pleasure gaze an age away!
When thoughts too great for words had made him mute,
In kisses he would tell my hand his suit.
So great his passion was, so far above
The common gallantries that pass for love,
At worst I thought if he unkind should prove,
His ebbing passion would be kinder far
Than the first transports of all others are.
Nor was my love or fondness less than his:
In him I centered all my hopes of bliss!
For him my duty to my friends forgot,
For him I lost . . . alas! What lost I not?
Fame, all the valuable things of life,
To meet his love by a less name than wife.
How happy was I then, how dearly blessed,
When this great man lay panting on my breast,
Looking such things as ne'er can be expressed!
Thousand fresh looks he gave me ev'ry hour,
Whilst greedily I did his looks devour,
Till quite o'ercome with charms I trembling lay,
At ev'ry look he gave, melted away!
I was so highly happy in his love,
Methought I pitied them that dwelt above!
Think then, thou greatest, loveliest, falsest man,
How you have vowed, how I have loved, and then,
My faithless dear, be cruel if you can!
How I have loved, I cannot, need not, tell;
No, ev'ry act has shown I loved too well.
Since first I saw you I ne'er had a thought
Was not entirely yours. To you I brought
My virgin innocence and freely made
My love an off'ring to your noble bed;
Since when you've been the star by which I steered,
And nothing else but you I loved or feared.
Your smiles I only live by, and I must,
Whene'er you frown, be shattered into dust.
Oh! can the coldness that you show me now
Suit with the gen'rous heat you once did show?
I cannot live on pity or respect:
A thought so mean would my whole love infect.
Less than your love I scorn, sir, to expect.
Let me not live in dull indiff'rency,
But give me rage enough to make me die,
For if from you I needs must meet my fate,
Before your pity I would choose your hate.