47 § 
Armine and Elvira . 
“ My breast what varying passions rend ! 
« Averse to go — to stay afraid !” 
M Dear object of each fond desire 
K That throbs tumultuous in my breast ! 
u Why with averted glance retire ? 
At Armine’s presence why distrest ? 
i( What though he boasts no titled name, 
“ No wide extent of rich domain ? 
Yet must he feed a fruitless flame, 
u Must truth and nature plead in vain ?” 
u Think not,” she said, a by forms betray’d* 
€i To humbler worth my heart is blind ; 
u For soon shall every splendour fade, 
a That beams not from the gifted mind. 
But first thy heart explore with care, 
<c With faith its fond emotions prove, 
u Lurks no unworthy passion there ? 
K Prompts not ambition bold to love ?” 
w Yes lovely maid,” the youth replies, 
A bold ambition prompts my breast, 
u The tow’ring hope that love supplies, 
u The wish in blessing to be blest. 
(( The meaner prospects I despise 
u That wealth, or rank, or pow’r bestow , 
M Be your’s the grov’lling bliss ye prize, 
6( Ye sordid minds, that stoop so low 1 
u Be mine the more refin’d delights 
u Of love, that banishes controul, 
“ When the fond heart with heart unites, 
a And soul’s in unison with soul.” 
Elvira blush’d the warm reply, 
(To love a language not unknown) 
The milder glories fill’d her eye, 
And there a softer lustre shone. 
The yielding smile, that’s half supprest. 
The short quick breath, the trembling tear. 
The swell tumultuous of the breast, 
In Armine’s favour all appear. 
