Dear girl belov’d, and lov’d by me, In whom so many charms I see, To captivate my heart; Ah! wilt thou, then, to me, who knows But love for thee, for whom it flows, Thy purest love impart? TO A LADY. How shall my faithful heart, my fair, Declare the bliss it feels, The balm to soften ev’ry care Which mutual love reveals? When prudence joins the faithful tie, In vain will sorrow prove; And every spark of grief will fly Before the breath of love. FROM A GENTLEMAN. Since first my heart with pleasure knew The power of faithful love for you, And made me only thine, I cannot cease to love thee less, But would returning love possess From thee, my Valentine. TO A LADY. Whene’er I see thy lovely face, My heart with joy doth burn, Whenever absent from the place, I long for thy return. If you all others would forsake, And love but me alone, And faithful love with me partake, To be my all, my own, I’d bless the day that first I knew My lovely charmer fair, And all my life should be to show She was my only care. TO A LADY. O! could this letter speak my love, And would thy heart that love approve; That faithful love which lives for you, In friendship and affection too. TO A LADY. Love thee! yes, dear lovely maid, Thee I’ll love, and only thee; And, whatever cares invade, Happy in thy love of me. Love thee! yes, with love replete, Still for thee my heart shall glow, Till my pulse forbids to beat, Or the streams of life to flow. Yes, for ever to my heart, Dear and precious shalt thou be; Wilt thou, then, dear girl, impart Love to him, who lives to thee? TO A LADY. How sweet is love by truth directed, Love by mutual hearts respected, Confiding, constant, true! How sweet to breathe the faithful vow, To give the pledge, as I do now, And seek such love from you! TO A LADY. On a Valentine-day I hasten to prove To thee, dearest girl, my remembrance of love, Tho’ little, indeed, can a trifle impart, Of a love undivided possessing my heart. TO A LADY. Be mine, dear girl, with joy to prove With thee the bliss of wedded love, To seal to thee, and seek from you A love which time will not subdue. TO A LADY. Let thy tongue, soft love expressing, In my ears fond thoughts repeat; Let thy heart, its truth confessing, With the purest passion beat. Thee alone my heart desiring, Only hopes thou wilt approve; Only this from thee requiring-- Love returning equal love. TO A LADY.