Then now, at length arrived from sea, Consent, fair nymph, to stay with me-- The barque--still faithful to her freight, Shall still on your direction wait. Such charms as your's all hearts engage! Sweet subject of my glowing page, Consent, before my Argo roves To sun-burnt isles and savage groves. When sultry suns around us glare, Your poet, still, with fondest care, To cast a shade, some folds will spread Of his coarse topsails o'er your head. When round the barque the billowy wave And howling winds, tempestuous, rave, By caution ruled, the helm shall guide Safely, that Argo o'er the tide. Whene'er some female fears prevail, At your request we'll reef the sail, Disarm the gales that rudely blow, And bring the loftiest canvas low. When rising to harass the main Old Boreas drives his blustering train, Still shall they see, as they pursue, Each tender care employed for you. To all your questions--every sigh! I still will make a kind reply; Give all you ask, each whim allow, And change my style to _thee_ and _thou_. If verse can life to beauty give, For ages I can make you live; Beyond the stars, triumphant, rise, While Cynthia's tomb neglected lies: Upon that face of mortal clay I will such lively colours lay, That years to come shall join to seek All beauty from your modest cheek. Then, Lydia, why our bark forsake; The road to western deserts take? That lip--on which hung half my bliss, Some savage, now, will bend to kiss; Some rustic soon, with fierce attack, May force his arms about that neck; And you, perhaps, will weeping come To seek--in vain--your floating home! [377] There is a discrepancy in the dates given to this poem. It was published in the _Freeman's Journal_, Sept. 3, 1788, with the preliminary remarks: "The following copy of verses came accidentally into my hands. I am told that it was written by Capt. Freneau and addressed to a young Quaker lady who went passenger in his vessel to Georgia to reside in the western parts of that State. From the New York Daily Advertiser." It was reprinted in the 1795 edition, and in the edition of 1809, where it has the note: "Miss Lydia Morris, a young quaker lady, on her landing from the sloop Industry, at Savannah, in Georgia, December 30th, 1806." I have followed the 1809 text. TO CYNTHIA[378] Through Jersey[379] groves, a wandering stream That still its wonted music keeps, Inspires no more my evening dream, Where Cynthia, in retirement, sleeps. Sweet murmuring stream! how blest art thou To kiss the bank where she resides, Where Nature decks the beechen bough That trembles o'er your shallow tides. The cypress-tree on Hermit's height, Where Love his soft addresses paid By Luna's pale reflected light-- No longer charms me to its shade!