Ode to Expectation

LET others curse thy heavy Sway,
Of dull Suspence, and cold Delay;
Complain of Absence' ling'ring Pain,
And Hope, for Years indulg'd in vain,
To me, as thou wert wont, appear,
Tell me but that Amasia's near,
Fraught with the Prospect of that Blessing,
'Tis not expecting—but possessing.

COME, EXPECTATION! Haste to me,
Kind Parent of Credulity!
For ever put that Semblance on,
Appear like her, and her alone;
Before my Eyes her Image place,
Her Strength of Mind, her Bloom of Face:
Thine Aid will I for ay implore,
Thy Bounty bless, thy Pow'r adore.

WHAT could I not, with Patience, bear,
With Pleasure, while I wait for her!
No Grief could feel while she were nigh,
And Laughter wanton'd in her Eye;
Nor Pleasure know, estrang'd to Joys,
Whene'er I hear Amasia's Sighs;
Nor any, any Danger fear,
So great—as that of losing her.

YET it must be—I'm doom'd to part,
To tear her from my Eyes, my Heart;
My ev'ry Hope, each Wish resign,
And never, never call her mine.
—But is there none, no secret Way,
My Vows to waft, my Duty pay?
Friendship! Esteem! Can none of these
Instruct an artless Swain to please?
Yet robb'd of the sole Pow'r t'impart
The honest Meaning of my Heart,
How can I half its Feelings prove,
How? When I dare not mention Love?

YET fly, Despair! Suspence, begone!
Your sullen Empire I disown;
With Transport still I bow to thee,
Kind Parent of Credulity!
Benign, as erst, do thou appear,
And Hope, and certain Joy is near.
Haste, EXPECTATION, loveliest Friend,
Thy softest, sweetest Influence lend:
The anxious, Heart-expanding Sigh,
That rises when Amasia's nigh,
Which kindles all my Soul, to prove
Her Beauty's Force, the Pride of Love!
To view, to hear, to clasp her once again,
Were cheaply purchas'd with an Age of Pain.