Elegy Viii Poem by James Hammond

He despairs that he shall ever possess Delia.


Ah what avails thy Lover's pious Care?
His lavish Incense clouds the Sky in vain,
Nor Wealth nor Greatness was his idle Pray'r,
For thee alone he pray'd, thee hop'd to gain;


With thee I hop'd to waste the pleasing Day,
Till in thy Arms an Age of Joy was past,
Then old with Love insensibly decay,
And on thy Bosom gently breath my last.


I scorn the Lydian River's golden Wave,
And all the vulgar Charms of human Life,
I only ask to live my Delia's Slave,
And when I long have serv'd her, call her Wife:


I only ask, of her I love possest,
To sink o'ercome with Bliss in safe Repose,
To strain her yielding Beauties to my Breast,
And kiss her wearied Eye-lids till they close.


Attend, O Juno, with thy sober Ear,
Attend, gay Venus, Parent of Desire,
This one fond Wish if you refuse to hear,
Oh let me with this Sigh of Love expire.