[[1119]]I'll tell, that if they be not glad,
They yet may envy me:
But then if I grow jealous mad, 10
And of them pitied be,
'Twould vex me worse than scorn!
And yet it cannot be forborn,
Unless my heart would like my thoughts be torn.

He is, if they can find him, fair 15
And fresh, and fragrant too;
As after rain the summer air,
And looks as lilies do,
That are this morning blown!
Yet, yet I doubt, he is not known, 20
Yet, yet I fear to have him fully shewn.

But he hath eyes so large, and bright.
Which none can see, and doubt
That Love might thence his torches light
Tho' Hate had put them out! 25
But then to raise my fears,
His voice—what maid so ever hears
Will be my rival, tho' she have but ears.

I'll tell no more! yet I love him,
And ho loves me; yet so, 30
That never one low wish did dim
Our love's pure light, I know—
In each so free from blame,
That both of us would gain new fame,
If love's strong fears would let me tell his name! 35

First published in The Courier, September 21, 1811; included in the supplementary sheet to Sibylline Leaves; reprinted in Essays on His Own Times, iii. 995, 996, and in the Appendix to P. W., 1863. It was first pointed out by W. E. Henley that 'Mutual Passion' is an adaptation of 'A Nymph's Passion', No. V of Ben Jonson's Underwoods.

8

Underwoods

No. VI. The Hour-Glass.

Consider this small dust, here in the glass
By atoms moved:
Could you believe that this the body was
Of one that loved;
And in his mistress' flame playing like a fly, 5
Was turned to cinders by her eye:
Yes; and in death, as life unblest,
To have 't exprest,
Even ashes of lovers find no rest.