St Helena for Bonaparte/Peggy I Must Love Thee
Peggy, I must love thee.
As from a rock, past all relief,
the shipwreck Colin spying
His native soil, o'ercome with grief,
half sunk in waves, and dying:
With the next morning sun he spies
A ship, which gives unhop'd surprise;
New life springs up, he lifts his eyes,
with joy, and waits her motion.
So when by her whom long I lov'd,
I scorn'd was and deserted,
Low with despair my spirits mov'd
to be for ever parted;
Thus droopt I till diviner grace
I found in Peggy's mind and face;
Ingratitude appear'd then base,
but virtue more engaging.
Then now since happily I've hit,
I'll have no more delaying;
Let beauty yield to manly wit,
We lose ourselves in staying:
I'll haste dull courtship to a close,
Since marriage can my fears oppose,
Why should we happy minutes lose,
Since, Peggy, I must love thee.
Men may be foolish, if they please,
and deem't a lover's duty,
To sight, and sacrifice their case,
doating on a proud beauty:
Such was my case for many a year,
Still hope succeeding to my fear,
False Betty's charms now disappear,
Since Peggy's far outshine them.
FINIS.