The Complaint."Oh, had I Colin's winning ease,"Said Lindor with a sigh,"So carelessly ordained to please,I'd every care defy."If Colin but for Daphne's hairA simple garland weave,He gives it with so sweet an airHe seems a crown to give."But, though I cull the fairest flowerThat decks the breast of spring,And posies from the woodland bowerFor Daphne's bosom bring,"When I attempt to give the fair,With many a speech in store,My half-form'd words dissolve in air,I blush and dare no more."And shall I then expect a smileFrom Daphne on my love,When every word and look the whileMy clownish weakness prove?"Oft at the close of summer day,When Daphne wander'd by,I've left my little flock astray,And follow'd with a sigh."Yet, fearing to approach too near,I lingered far behind:And, lest my step should reach her ear,I shook at every wind."How happy then must Colin beWho never knew this fear,Whose sweet address at libertyCommands the fair-one's ear!"A smile, a tear, a word, a sigh,Stand ready at his call;In me unknown they live and die,Who have and feel them all."Ah, simple swain, how little knowsThe love-sick mind to scanThose gifts which real love bestowsTo mark the favoured man.Secure, let fluent parrots feignThe musick of the dove;'Tis only in the eye may reignThe eloquence of love.
"Oh, had I Colin's winning ease,"Said Lindor with a sigh,"So carelessly ordained to please,I'd every care defy.
"If Colin but for Daphne's hairA simple garland weave,He gives it with so sweet an airHe seems a crown to give.
"But, though I cull the fairest flowerThat decks the breast of spring,And posies from the woodland bowerFor Daphne's bosom bring,
"When I attempt to give the fair,With many a speech in store,My half-form'd words dissolve in air,I blush and dare no more.
"And shall I then expect a smileFrom Daphne on my love,When every word and look the whileMy clownish weakness prove?
"Oft at the close of summer day,When Daphne wander'd by,I've left my little flock astray,And follow'd with a sigh.
"Yet, fearing to approach too near,I lingered far behind:And, lest my step should reach her ear,I shook at every wind.
"How happy then must Colin beWho never knew this fear,Whose sweet address at libertyCommands the fair-one's ear!
"A smile, a tear, a word, a sigh,Stand ready at his call;In me unknown they live and die,Who have and feel them all."
Ah, simple swain, how little knowsThe love-sick mind to scanThose gifts which real love bestowsTo mark the favoured man.
Secure, let fluent parrots feignThe musick of the dove;'Tis only in the eye may reignThe eloquence of love.