CATHARINE COCKBURN

1679-1749

Ah, gaze not on those eyes! forbear

That soft enchanting voice to hear:

Not looks of basilisks give surer death,

Nor syrens sing with more destructive breath.

Fly, if thy freedom thou’dst maintain;

Alas! I feel, th’ advice is vain!

A heart, whose safety but in flight does lie,

Is too far lost to have the power to fly.