To
LOVE
:
written
extempore
.
I
Resistless
power
,
ah
!
wherefore
reign
,
Alone
among
the
rural
train
,
Is
it
because
you
seldom
find
,
The
giddy
throng
to
truth
inclin'd
.
II
Ah
!
wherefore
in
the
modish
breast
,
Art
thou
so
rarely
found
a
guest
,
Must
fashion
occupy
thy
place
,
And
custom
,
hymens
charms
efface
.
III
Alas
!
how
few
are
born
to
prove
,
The
joys
of
undissembled
love
,
How
few
can
boast
a
gen'rous
flame
,
Inspir'd
by
virtue's
sacred
name
.
IV
Is
it
because
thou'rt
partial
grown
,
And
yield
to
beauties
power
alone
,
Must
merit
plead
her
right
in
vain
,
And
mourn
for
truth's
unpity'd
pain
.
V
In
vain
is
every
grace
combin'd
,
To
elevate
the
youthful
mind
,
If
nature
joins
not
to
disclose
,
The
lilly
and
the
blushing
rose
.
VI
Ye
youths
of
this
licentious
age
,
No
more
in
idle
cares
engage
,
No
longer
artful
scenes
pursue
,
But
grant
to
merit
—
all
its
due
.