20.12.2012, 22:22
Indeed I love thee, beauteous woman-kind,
And own that I am never happy when
Amid a social band I do not find
Thy sweetly radiating smiles, for then
The circle has no halo — wit is dull,
Time drags on heavily and murmurs rise ;
But in thy lovely presence, which is full
Of inspiration like the star-lit skies,
The freshen'd mind invigorates her pow'rs
While converse mingles with a chaste delight ;
And when I've been aloof from pleasure's bow'rs,
Enwrapt in gloomy sorrow's darkest night,
Like him* who Afric's wilds explor'd, I've proved
Thy loving sympathy, most worthy to be loved.
* Mungo Park, the celebrated traveller in Africa, who, when faint and weary, was relieved by the sable daughters of the country, and cheered by their songs.
And own that I am never happy when
Amid a social band I do not find
Thy sweetly radiating smiles, for then
The circle has no halo — wit is dull,
Time drags on heavily and murmurs rise ;
But in thy lovely presence, which is full
Of inspiration like the star-lit skies,
The freshen'd mind invigorates her pow'rs
While converse mingles with a chaste delight ;
And when I've been aloof from pleasure's bow'rs,
Enwrapt in gloomy sorrow's darkest night,
Like him* who Afric's wilds explor'd, I've proved
Thy loving sympathy, most worthy to be loved.
* Mungo Park, the celebrated traveller in Africa, who, when faint and weary, was relieved by the sable daughters of the country, and cheered by their songs.