THE WILLS OF THE WISP

A SAPPHIC

Vix ea nostra voco

Lunatic Witch-fires! Ghosts of Light and Motion!
Fearless I see you weave your wanton dances
Near me, far off me; you, that tempt the traveller
Onward and onward.

[[980]] Wooing, retreating, till the swamp beneath him
Groans—and 'tis dark!—This woman's wile—I know it!
Learnt it from thee, from thy perfidious glances!
Black-ey'd Rebecca!

First published in Morning Post, December 1, 1801. First collected P. and D. W., 1877, ii. 169.

8

TO CAPTAIN FINDLAY

When the squalls were flitting and fleering
And the vessel was tacking and veering;
Bravo! Captain Findlay,
Who foretold a fair wind
Of a constant mind;
For he knew which way the wind lay,
Bravo! Captain Findlay.