free-verse24 lines
To Julia
by Thomas OldhamSing, lovely Girl! to hear Thee sing
Hush'd is the listening air;
My spirit trembles on the wing,
And no delay can bear.
Those down-cast eyes, that smile supprest,
Thy conscious power betray;
Yet, Siren! grant the bold request;
Come, steal my heart away.
See, see, those ruby lips divide;
An ivory shrine appears;
There Harmony and Love reside,
To ravish mortal ears.
And hark! they from that sweet recess
Breathe their celestial lays;
The enchanting sounds my thought possess
With rapture and amaze.
Still pressing on with strong control
I feel the lavish strain,
Till drunk with bliss, my wilder'd soul
Reels on the brink of pain.
Ah! how could I so rashly dare
Contend with Powers divine?
The pride of victory forbear;
My heart is wholly thine.