Book 2 — TO AN UNFORTUNATE WOMAN AT THE THEATRE[171:1]
Reading edition
TO AN UNFORTUNATE WOMAN AT THE THEATRE[171:1]
Maiden, that with sullen brow Sitt'st behind those virgins gay, Like a scorch'd and mildew'd bough, Leafless 'mid the blooms of May! Him who lur'd thee and forsook, 5 Oft I watch'd with angry gaze, Fearful saw his pleading look, Anxious heard his fervid phrase. [172] Soft the glances of the Youth, Soft his speech, and soft his sigh; 10 But no sound like simple Truth, But no true love in his eye. Loathing thy polluted lot, Hie thee, Maiden, hie thee hence! Seek thy weeping Mother's cot, 15 With a wiser innocence. Thou hast known deceit and folly, Thou hast felt that Vice is woe: With a musing melancholy Inly arm'd, go, Maiden! go. 20 Mother sage of Self-dominion, Firm thy steps, O Melancholy! The strongest plume in Wisdom's pinion Is the memory of past folly. Mute the sky-lark and forlorn, 25 While she moults the firstling plumes, That had skimm'd the tender corn, Or the beanfield's odorous blooms. Soon with renovated wing Shall she dare a loftier flight, 30 Upward to the Day-Star spring, And embathe in heavenly light.
1797.
FOOTNOTES:
LINENOTES:
Title] To an Unfortunate Woman in the Back Seats of the Boxes at the Theatre M. P.: To an Unfortunate Young Woman whom I had known in the days of her Innocence MS. sent to Cottle, E. R. i. 213: To an Unfortunate Woman whom the Author knew in the days of her Innocence. Composed at the Theatre An. Anth. 1800.
[
1
]
Maiden] Sufferer An. Anth.
In place of 5-12
Inly gnawing, thy distresses Mock those starts of wanton glee; And thy inmost soul confesses Chaste Affection's [affliction's An. Anth.] majesty.
MS. Cottle, An. Anth.
[
14
]
Maiden] Sufferer An. Anth.
[
22
]
Firm are thy steps M. P.
[
25
]
sky-lark] Lavrac MS. Cottle, An. Anth.
[
26
]
the] those MS. Cottle, M. P., An. Anth.
[
27
]
Which late had M. P.
[
31
]
Upwards to the day star sing MS. Cottle, An. Anth.
Stanzas ii, iii, v, vi are not in MS. Cottle nor in the Annual Anthology.