Since early affection and love is o'ercast:

Oh! blest had my fate been, and happy my lot,

Had the first strain of love been the dearest, the last.

Farewell, my young Muse! since we now can ne'er meet;

If our songs have been languid, they surely are few:

Let us hope that the present at least will be sweet;

The present—which seals our eternal Adieu.

1807. [Now first published.]


RETROSPECTIVE GLEANINGS