To Laura

Cease, Laura, cease, suspect no more

This careless heart has learnt to love,

Because on yonder lonely shore

I still at pensive evening rove;

Because of Henry's worth I speak

With eager warmth and sparkling eye;

Because his favourite haunts I seek,

And still o'erjoyed to meet him fly:….

But, Laura, should my faltering tongue

Refuse to speak in Henry's praise,

My trembling voice deny the song

When Henry claims his favourite lays;

When Henry comes, should I neglect

With smiles the welcome youth to seek,

But meet him full of cold respect,

While conscious blushes paint my cheek;

Should I, when Ella shares his praise,

Heave deeply-drawn but smothered sighs,

And, when on me he deigns to gaze,

Fix on the earth my conscious eyes;….

Then, I'll no more thy charge deny,

No more thy tender fears reprove:

Then, Laura, heave compassion's sigh,

For mine will be the sigh of love.