CATHARINE COCKBURN
Reading edition
1679-1749
55. Song—The Vain Advice
Ah, gaze not on those eyes! forbear That soft enchanting voice to hear: Not looks of basilisks give surer death, Nor syrens sing with more destructive breath. Fly, if thy freedom thou’dst maintain; Alas! I feel, th’ advice is vain! A heart, whose safety but in flight does lie, Is too far lost to have the power to fly.