To Amanda: Ah! urged too late

Ah ! urged too late, from beauty's bondage free,
Why did I trust my liberty with thee ?
And thou, why didst thou with inhuman art,
If not resolved to take, seduce my heart ?
Yes, yes ! you said — for lovers' eyes speak true ;
You must have seen how fast my passion grew :
And, when your glances chanced on me to shine,
How my fond soul ecstatic sprung to thine !

But mark me, fair one ! what I now declare
Thy deep attention claims and serious care :
It is no common passion fires my breast —
I must be wretched, or I must be blest !
My woes all other remedy deny —
Or pitying give me hope, or bid me die !