Armine and Elvira, 
14 Elvira’s self should then allow 
« That Armine was at least sincere. 
44 Wild wish ! to deem the matchless maid, 
44 Would listen to a youth like me, 
44 Or that my vows could e’er persuade, 
44 Sincere and constant though they be. 
44 Ah ! what avails my love or truth ? 
44 She listens to no lowly swain ; 
44 Her charms must bless some happier .youth, 
44 Some youth of fortune’s titled train. 
44 Then go, fallacious hope 1 adieu ! 
44 The flattering prospect I resign ! 
44 And bear, from my deluded view, 
44 The bliss that never must be mine. 
44 Yet will the youth, who e’er he be, 
44 In truth or tenderness excel ? 
44 Or, will he on thy charms like me 
44 With fondness never-dying dwell ? 
44 Will he with thine his hopes unite ? 
44 With ready zeal thy thoughts improve ? 
44 With fond attention and delight, 
44 Each wish prevent, each fear remove ? 
44 Will he, still faithful to thy charms, 
44 For constant love be long rever’d ? 
44 Nor quit that bliss within thy arms, 
44 By every tender tie endear’d ? 
44 What though his boastful heart be vain 
44 Of all that birth or fortune gave ? 
* 44 Yet is not mine, though rude and plain, 
e£ At least as noble and as brave ? 
44 Then be its tender suit preferr’d ! 
44 Its tender sighs Elvira hear ! 
44 In vain I sigh— -but sigh unhear’d ; 
44 Unpity’dfal sthis lonely tear !” 
Twice twelve revolting moons had past; 
Since first he caught the fatal view ; 
Unchang’d by time his sorrows last, 
Uncheer’d by hope his passion grew. 
