A
[Vide ante, p. 100]
Effusion 35
Clevedon, August 20th, 1795.[1021:1]
(First Draft)
My pensive Sara! thy soft Cheek reclin'd
Thus on my arm, how soothing sweet it is
Beside our Cot to sit, our Cot o'ergrown
With white-flowr'd Jasmine and the blossom'd myrtle,
(Meet emblems they of Innocence and Love!) 5
And watch the Clouds, that late were rich with light,
Slow-sad'ning round, and mark the star of eve
Serenely brilliant, like thy polish'd Sense,
Shine opposite! What snatches of perfume
The noiseless gale from yonder bean-field wafts! 10
The stilly murmur of the far-off Sea
Tells us of Silence! and behold, my love!
In the half-closed window we will place the Harp,
Which by the desultory Breeze caress'd,
Like some coy maid half willing to be woo'd, 15
Utters such sweet upbraidings as, perforce,
Tempt to repeat the wrong!
[M. R.]
Effusion, p. 96. (1797.)
(Second Draft)