Poems (David)/The Pursuit of Pleasure

by Edith Mary David

THE PURSUIT OF PLEASURE.

DAME Pleasure with alluring charms
 Doth her endless joys unfold,
And unthinking mortals capture
 In her dazzling nets of gold.
Ah! when caught all torn and wounded,
 But laughs alone in cruel scorn—
Swiftly flees that fickle maiden—
 Leaves her victims all forlorn!

Oh! ye who wear so frail a wreath,
 Dip'd in Lethe's sluggish stream,
As the gay and flow'ry garland
 Wove of airy Fancy's dream,—
Ye wake to find the blossom faded,
 Past, alas! your happy day;
And ye wildly start to find Love,
 Hope and Pleasure fled away!