SONG.
Reading edition
1 Say, lovely dream! where couldst thou find Shades to counterfeit that face? Colours of this glorious kind Come not from any mortal place.
2 In heaven itself thou sure wert dress'd With that angel-like disguise: Thus deluded am I bless'd, And see my joy with closèd eyes.
3 But, ah! this image is too kind To be other than a dream; Cruel Saccharissa's mind Never put on that sweet extreme!
4 Fair dream! if thou intend'st me grace, Change that heavenly face of thine; Paint despised love in thy face, And make it to appear like mine.
5 Pale, wan, and meagre let it look, With a pity-moving shape, Such as wander by the brook Of Lethe, or from graves escape.
6 Then to that matchless nymph appear, In whose shape thou shinest so; Softly in her sleeping ear, With humble words, express my woe.
7 Perhaps from greatness, state, and pride, Thus surprisèd she may fall; Sleep does disproportion hide, And, death resembling, equals all.