Taught to believe the World a place,
Where every Stranger was a Foe,
Train’d in the Arts that mark our Race,
To what new People could I go?
Could I a better Life embrace,
Or live as Virtue dictates? No!—
So through the Land, I wandering went,
And little found of Grief or Joy;
But lost my Bosom’s sweet Content,
When first I lov’d, the Gipsey-Boy.
A sturdy Youth he was and tall,
His Looks would all his Soul declare,
His piercing Eyes were deep and small,
And strongly curl’d his Raven-Hair.
Yes, Aaron had each manly Charm,
All in the May of youthful Pride,
He scarcely fear’d his Father’s Arm,
And every other Arm defied.—
Oft when they grew in Anger warm,
(Whom will not Love and Power divide?)
I rose, their wrathful Souls to calm,
Not yet in sinful Combat tried.
His Father was our Party’s Chief,
And dark and dreadful was his Look,
His Presence fill’d my Heart with Grief,
Although to me, he kindly spoke.
With Aaron I delighted went,
His Favour was my Bliss and Pride;
In growing Hope our Days we spent,
Love, growing Charms in either spied,
It saw them, all which Nature lent,
It lent them, all which she denied.
Could I the Father’s Kindness prize,
Or grateful Looks on him bestow;
Whom I beheld in wrath arise,
When Aaron sank beneath his Blow?
He drove him down with wicked Hand,
It was a dreadful Sight to see;
Then vex’d him, till he left the Land,
And told his cruel Love to me;—
The Clan were all at his Command,
Whatever his Command might be.
The Night was dark, the Lanes were deep,
And one by one, they took their way;
He bade me lay me down and sleep,
I only wept and wish’d for Day.
Accursed be the Love he bore,—
Accursed was the Force he us’d,—
So let him of his God implore
For Mercy, and be so refus’d!