ON a bank of flowers, in a summer day,
For summer lightly drest,
The youthful, blooming Nelly lay,
With love and sleep opprest;
When Willie, wandring thro the wood,
Who for her favour oft had sued;
He gazd, he wishd
He feard, he blushd,
And trembled where he stood.
Her closèd eyes, like weapons sheathd,
Were seald in soft repose;
Her lip, still as she fragrant breathd,
It richer dyed the rose;
The springing lilies, sweetly prest,
Wild-wanton kissed her rival breast;
He gazd, he wishd,
He meard, he blushd,
His bosom ill at rest.
Her robes, light-waving in the breeze,
Her tender limbs embrace;
Her lovely form, her native ease,
All harmony and grace;
Tumultuous tides his pulses roll,
A faltering, ardent kiss he stole;
He gazd, he wishd,
He feard, he blushd,
And sighd his very soul.
As flies the partridge from the brake,
On fear-inspired wings,
So Nelly, starting, half-awake,
Away affrighted springs;
But Willie followd-as he should,
He overtook her in the wood;
He vowd, he prayd,
He found the maid
Forgiving all, and good.