When Damon first his amorous suit addrest
Thou long had'st reign'd the sovereign of my breast;
My love, my heart, my soul were vow'd to thee,
And none but Colin could have charms for me.
With scorn, thou know'st, his courtship I declined:
O, that my thoughts had sway'd my father's mind!
But Damon's ampler wealth, which I despised,
Too much, alas! my doting father prized.
What were thy words that sad, that trying hour,
When, in submission to paternal power,
I sacrificed the feelings of my heart,
And faltering told thee we were doom'd to part?
'Part!--must we part, my Delia?' did'st thou say,
'Alas! 'tis Virtue's law; we must obey;
But still, to render absence less severe,
Let us, my Love, Hope's pleasing dictates hear.
Little of Damon, yet, thy father knows:
Time his perfidious purpose will disclose;
Then will thy sire his hasty choice repent;
And to our loves, perhaps, may yield consent.
Meanwhile beware, my Delia, O beware!
Lest Damon's arts thine innocence insnare.'
Such were thy parting words. Now, Colin, hear!
Then will thy words prophetical appear.
Each night the favourite of my parents came
To boast the matchless ardour of his flame;
Still did he teaze me with his flattering strain;--
Fool, to suppose his praise could make me vain!
At length a favouring hour the traitor chose,
And dared his wicked purpose to disclose.