[Town-end 1805.—I. F.]

One of the "Poems founded on the Affections." From 1807 to 1832 the title was simply Louisa.—Ed.

The Poem

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I met Louisa in the shade,
And, having seen that lovely Maid,
Why should I fear to say
That, nymph-like, she is fleet and strong,
And down the rocks can leap along
Like rivulets in May?
She loves her fire, her cottage-home;
Yet o'er the moorland will she roam
In weather rough and bleak;
And, when against the wind she strains,
Oh! might I kiss the mountain rains
That sparkle on her cheek.
Take all that's mine "beneath the moon,"
If I with her but half a noon
May sit beneath the walls
Of some old cave, or mossy nook,
When up she winds along the brook
To hunt the waterfalls.
[Note]
[Contents 1802]
[Main Contents]
[1]
[2]
[3]

[4]


[A]

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[Variant 1:]

1807
Though, by a sickly taste betrayed,
Some will dispraise the lovely Maid,
With fearless pride I say


1836

Though, by a sickly taste betrayed,
Some will dispraise the lovely Maid,
With fearless pride I say