RIVALRY IN LOVE. OF all the torments, all the cares, With which our lives are curst; Sure rivals are the worst! Afflictions easier grow; Companions of our woe. Sylvia, for all the pangs you sce Are labouring in my breast; Would you but slight the rest. With them alone I'll cope: But not another's hope. The author of this song is mentioned in the correspondence and poems of Alexander Pope. “In 1705," says Dr. Johnson in his “Lives of the Poets,” “ Walsh began to correspond with Mr. Pope, in whom he discovered very early the power of poetry, Pope always retained a grateful sense of Walsh’s notice, and mentioned him in one of his latest pieces among those tiat had encouraged his juvenile studies, Glanville the polite TILL DEATH I SYLVIA MUST ADORE. From “The Hive.” A collection of Songs in four volumes, 12mo, 1723. TILL death I Sylvia must adore; And when against the cruel maid WHY, LOVELY CHARMER. From “ The Hive." Why, lovely charmer, tell me why, UNHAPPY LOVE. From “The Hive." I SEE she flies me every where, Her eyes her scorn discover: Since 'tis my fate to love her? THE FIRE OF LOVE. From the “Examen Miscellaneum,” 1702, where it is said to be by Earl D. (DORSET). But for a moment burns ; And soon itself destroys. And with a silent heat, а Like fire in logs, it glows and warms 'em long; Yet is the heat as strong. a FAIR HEBE. from her charms and to drown love in wine : heart. I repaired to my Reason, entreating her aid, Who paus’d on my case, and each circumstance weigh’d; Then gravely pronounc'd, in return to my prayer, That Hebe was fairest of all that was fair! “ That's a truth,” replied I, “ I've no need to be taught ; I came for your counsel to find out a fault." “If that's all,” says Reason, “return as you came, For to find fault with Hebe would forfeit my name. What hopes, then, alas! of relief from my pain, When, like lightning, she darts through each throbbing vein; My senses surprised, in her favour took arms, And reason confirms me a slave to her charms. a This song, adapted to the old English melody of "Pretty Polly Oliver," is an answer to Shenstone's, “When forced from dear Hebe to part.” TELL ME, MY HEART, IF THIS BE LOVE. Ritson's "English Songs,” vol. iii. If she some other swain commend, When she is absent, I no more When fond of power, of beauty vain, THE SHAPE ALONE. Ritson assigns this song to AKENSIDE (born 1721, died 1770), but it is not contained in his works. But, ah! where both their charms unite, How perfect is the view,- With graces ever new! Of power to charm the deepest woe, The wildest rage control; And rapture through the soul. Their but faintly to express And read it perfect there. O NANNY, WILT THOU GO WITH ME? THOMAS PERCY, D.D., Bishop of Dromore, editor of the “Relics of Ancient English Poetry,” born 1728, died 1811. Music by T. CARTER. O NANNY, wilt thou go me, The lowly cot and russet gown? No longer deck'd with jewels rare,- Where thou wert fairest of the fair? O Nanny, when thou'rt far away, Wilt thou not cast a wish behind ? Nor shrink before the wintry wind ? Extremes of hardship learn to bear, Where thou wert fairest of the fair? |