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SONNETS

FROM

PAUL AND VIRGINIA.

BY HELEN MARIA WILLIAMS.

SONNET I.

TO LOVE.

AH Love! ere yet I knew thy fatal power,

Bright glow'd the colour of my youthful days,
As, on the fultry zone, the torrid rays

That paint the broad-leav'd plantain's gloffy bower:
Calm was my bofom as this filent hour,
When o'er the deep, fcarce heard, the zephyr ftrays,
Midft the cool tamarinds indolently plays,

Nor from the orange fhakes its od'rous flower:
But ah! fince Love has all my heart poffeft,
That defolated heart what forrows tear?

Difturb'd, and wild as ocean's troubled breaft,
When the hoarse tempeft of the night is there!
Yet my complaining spirit afks no reft;

This bleeding bosom cherishes despair.

SONNET II.

TO DISAPPOINTMENT.

PALE Disappointment! at thy freezing name
Chill fears in ev'ry shiv'ring vein I prove,
My finking pulse almost forgets to move,
And life almoft forfakes my languid frame:
Yet thee, relentless nymph! no more I blame.
Why do my thoughts midft vain illufions rove?
Why gild the charms of friendship and of love
With the warm glow of fancy's purple flame ?
When ruffling winds have fome bright fane o'er-
thrown,

Which fhone on painted clouds, or feem'd to fhine,

Shall the fond gazer dream for him alone
Those clouds were stable, and at fate repine?

I feel, alas! the fault is all my own,

And, ah! the cruel punishment is mine!

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