TRANSLATION FROM THE IDYLS OF GESSNER.
Delia! when in your lover's eyes,
At your approach soft lustre rise,
When with charm'd ear, from thy sweet tongue,
He listens to the thrilling song,
O'er saddest scenes delights you fling,
And winter wears the smile of spring.
When o'er the mead with you I stray,
More fragrant is the new-mown hay,
When gath'ring flow'rets at your side,
The buds more vivid swell with pride,
And bend, your snowy hand to meet,
Or am'rous twine beneath your feet.
But when within your arms you press me,
When with a long, long kiss you bless me,
Ah! then in vain, the fairest flow'rs
Exert their balmy-breathing pow'rs;
In vain her sweets does Nature bring,
In vain she wears the smile of spring.
Then Delia! nought on earth but thee,
My ravish'd senses feel or see,
With Love's wild frenzy then possessed,
My trembling heart beats 'gainst thy breast,
Then fondly sink, o'erpower'd with bliss,
Only alive to Delia's kiss.
Q. V.
Port Folio, I-87, Mar. 14, 1801, Phila.
LEONORA. [β].
A Tale, from the German.
"Ah, William! art thou false or dead?"
Cried Leonora from her bed.
"I dreamt thou'dst ne'er return."
William had fought in Frederick's host
At Prague—and what his fate—if lost
Or false, she could not learn.