The Bashful Lover

Sweet tyrant Love, but hear me now !
And cure while young this pleasing smart ;
Or rather, aid my trembling vow,
And teach me to reveal my heart.

Tell her whose goodness is my bane,
Whose looks have smiled my peace away,
Oh ! whisper now she gives me pain,
Whilst undesigning, frank, and gay.

'Tis not for common charms I sigh,
For what the vulgar beauty call ;
'Tis not a cheek, a lip, an eye ;
But 'tis the soul that lights them all.

For that I drop the tender tear,
For that I make this artless moan,
Oh, sigh it, Love ! into her ear,
And make the bashful lover known.