LINES TO A YOUNG LADY,

OCCASIONED BY HER DECLINING AN OFFER OF MARRIAGE

Made her by a very accomplished Friend of the Author.

Oh! form’d to prompt the smile or tear, At once so sweet, yet so severe! As much for you as him I grieve; Ah! thoughtless! if you thus can leave A mind with wit and learning bright, Where Temper sheds its cloudless light; Where manly honour, taste refin’d, With ev’ry virtue, are combin’d; If you can quit a heart so true, Which has so often throbb’d for you, I’ll pity, tho’ I can’t reprove; And did I, such is Florio’s love, Eager he’d fly to take thy part, E’en in a war against his heart.