To Amasia ("As Men in desarts lost")

As Men in desarts lost, with wand'rings rove,
Thro' ev'ry trackless thicket, every Grove,
So am I lost —
And so bewilder'd in the maze of Love.
To Men, and Gods, and Heav'n, distress'd they cry,
Nor Men, nor Gods, but Ecchoing Woods reply,
And threat'ning Thunder bursting from the Sky.
In vain the Hills their sad complaints restore,
Or worse than vain —
Redoubling back their Woes, they make them more.
In vain, forlorn, they strive themselves to shun,
Their griefs pursue them, wheresoe'er they run,
Like me despairing, and like me undone.
Off'ring their latest Pray'rs, to Heav'n they sue,
Kneel to unpitying Pow'rs, as I to you.
Unknowing where for kind relief to fly,
Accurst like me, like me resolve to die.
Cruel Amasia! — no, I wrong thee there,
For thou art good as Guardian Angels are.
Gentle in Nature, Affable, and Mild,
Courteously soft —
And Sweetly smiling, as a dreaming Child.
What is my fate? What Crimes must I atone?
What? — Tell me Heav'n! and Earth what have I done?
What have I done? — ne'er may the guilt remove;
I own, and boast my Crime, my Crime is Love.
Young tho' I am, I have a Manly Soul,
And full-grown Passions in my Bosom rowl.
Young tho' I am, if you continue cold,
Believe, Amasia, I shall soon grow old.
Already have I felt unsetled Fires,
Already past all Youthful, vain desires.
Whether by chance, or by misfortunes hurl'd,
Too well I know, and now despise the World.
From all it's loose, Fantastick Charms I flee,
Contemning all it's Beauties — all, but thee.
Like some Skill'd Traveller, o'ercast with Night,
Gay, shooting Meteors, and false Stars I slight,
But rise, and bow to the Sun's awful light.
Each Meaner Planet might Attract the Eye;
But Sol in view, all Constellations fly;
What Beauty's seen, and bright Amasia by?
You with peculiar force your Glances Arm,
Nor do they shine alone, but shine and warm:
Lovely in every thing! in all you Charm.
Why should I bring your Image to my veiw?
O would your Image could be very you.
But I unblest, am by all Bars deny'd,
Your Guardian Father, and your Guardian Pride.
Tho' Death it self from your disdain I meet,
I ask but this —
Let me receive it at Amasia's Feet.