hy praise
Was all that could my just ambition raise.
Why has my heart this fond engagement known?
Or why has Heav'n dissolved the tye so soon?
Why was the charming youth so form'd to move?
Or why was all my soul so turn'd for love?
But virtue here a vain defence had made,
Where so much worth and eloquence could plead.
For he could talk----'Twas extacy to hear,
'Twas joy! 'twas harmony to every ear.
Eternal music dwelt upon his tongue,
Soft, and transporting as the Muses song;
List'ning to him my cares were charm'd to rest,
And love, and silent rapture fill'd my breast:
Unheeded the gay moments took their flight,
And time was only measur'd by delight.
I hear the lov'd, the melting accents still,
And still the kind, the tender transport feel.
Again I see the sprightly passions rise,
And life and pleasure sparkle in his eyes.
My fancy paints him now with ev'ry grace,
But ah! the dear delusion mocks my fond embrace;
The smiling vision takes its hasty flight,
And scenes of horror swim before my sight.
Grief and despair in all their terrors rise;
A dying lover pale and gasping lies,
Each dismal circumstance appears in view,
The fatal object is for ever new.

* * * * *

For thee all thoughts of pleasure I forego,
For thee my tears shall never cease to flow:
For thee at once I from the world retire,
To feed in silent shades a hopeless fire.
My bosom all thy image shall retain;
The full impression there shall still remain.
As thou hast taught my constant heart to prove;
The noblest height and elegance of love;
That sacred passion I to thee confine;
My spotless faith shall be for ever thine.

After Mr. Rowe's decease, and as soon as her affairs would permit,
our authoress indulged her inconquerable inclination to solitude, by
retiring to Froome in Somersetshire, in the neighbourhood of which
place the greatest part of her estate lay. When she forsook the town,
she determined to return no more but to spend the remainder of her
life in absolute retirement; yet upon some few occasions she thought
it her duty to violate this resolution. In compliance with the
importunate request of the honourable Mrs. Thynne, she passed some
months with her at London, after the death of her daughter the lady
Brooke, and upon the decease of Mrs. Thynne herself, she could not
dispute the commands of the countess of Hertford, who earne