Maiden's choice/The forlorn lover

THE FORLORN LOVER.

ONE ev'ning of late in a pleasant valley,
as I lay musing, I chanc'd to spy,
A youth approaching was melancholy,
as he lay weeping most bitterly.

I ask'd sincerely what was the reason,
that he complain'd and weep'd so sore?
He told me plainly it was occasion'd,
by a fair female he did adore.

Said he, She's brought me to desolation,
none but this fair one can me relieve;
Ye would excuse all my lamentation,
did you perceive her for whom I grieve.

No Arabic Phœnix, Diana, or Venus,
no sculptur'd statue contriv'd by art,
No living creature e'er form'd by nature,
is like that fair one that stole my heart.

Oh! how bless'd would I be to gain her favour,
and to enjoy her during life,
I would undertake any task whatever,
providing she was to be my wife.

I could serve with Jacob for fourteen seasons,
with due obedience till it would pass,
And bear with patience all my vexations,
in hopes to gain you my love at last.

But since that she was gone and left me,
and ungratefully has chang'd her love,
To some foreign nation I will betake me,
and spend my time like the turtle dove.

No consolation but grief increas'd me,
shall be my fate since I'm denied,
To contemplate my doleful fate,
to some lonely desart I will resort.

Unhappy youth am I that e'er was born,
for to be brought to such destiny,
In the midst of troubles I am left forlorn,
there is none to counsel nor pity me.

None but the small birds to be my comrades,
they're most indulgent to grant relief,
With their mournful concerts, they yield me comfort,
and sympathize with me in grief.

Fare you well my friends and neighbours,
for I am going to some foreign land,
For to begin the most grievous labour,
e'er was experienc'd by any man.

I go daily mourning and without ceasing,
I spend my time without joy or mirth,
For I believe in Predestination, it was
foreordain'd for me at my birth.

I advised the youth to embrace contentment,
and his mourning for to resign,
And his making a stout resentment,
against temptations of the female kind.

I drove by reason for to dissuade him,
all was in vain, it would not do;
With his exclamations of continuation,
he took his leave and he bade adieu.