The Fugitive. Poem by Daniel Baker

Having received home my Heart at last
I'll keep thee now, said I,
Thou never more from me shalt flie:
With that, strong gates before my Breast I plac'd,
And with firm Resolutions barr'd them fast.

Thus fenc'd and fortifi'd secure I lay:
But, oh! the mighty Samson Love
(Against whose Power in vain I strove)
Carri'd the Gates, and Posts, and Bars away,
And made room for my enlarged Heart to stray.

Away it flew, swift as some heav'nly Mind:
Come back, thou Fool, return again,
Return, I cry'd, but all in vain.
My fruitless Words were carri'd with the Wind,
It flew away, and never look'd behind.

Well, go thy way, since I but vainly try
To keep thee, go, and if thou find
Her Heart inclining to be kind,
Return, and tell me: But if still she flie,
Follow 'er, and either overtake, or die.

For if thou come without her, I no more
Rebellious Heart, will pardon thee,
For thus unkindly leaving me:
I'll vex thee, and torment thee ev'ry hour,
And plague thee worse than she has done before.