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Poem
December 1, 1768
The Virginia Gazette
Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia
What is this article about?
An 18th-century love letter in verse form, addressed to a madam, expressing the poet's amorous desires, praises her charms, and pleads for her affection. Attributed to Mayfield, Caledoniensis, dated November 8, 1768.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
POET'S CORNER.
A BILLET DOUX in the modern taste.
DEAR Madam, let this letter tell
The dictates of my mind;
And let thine eye propitious be,
And to its author kind.
Let his chaste wishes warm thy soul,
And turn thy lovely mind
Upon thy amorous swain, that he
His wish'd for prize may find.
Open thy heart, thou sprightly maid,
Keep up a lover's flame;
For thee I wish, for thee I sigh,
I've pleasure in thy name.
O do not disappoint my hopes,
Do not increase my fear;
Cherish my love, augment my bliss,
And happy make me here.
Thy words, when kind, refresh my soul,
New life and vigour give;
Thy smiles my actions animate,
And let me know I live.
When you commend what I have done,
What pleasure do I find!
When you do blame, then I'm, alas!
Most wretched of mankind!
When you with me vouchsafe to sit,
And pleasingly dost sing;
Then I, who am your humble slave,
Am happier than a King.
To sit by thee, and view thy charms,
And hear thy lovely voice,
Then clasp thee softly in my arms,
Is all my wish and choice.
Thy frowns do pierce my very heart,
Thy smiles do me revive;
Thy absence wastes me to a shade,
Thy presence keeps alive.
At thy approach all nature smiles,
Of beauties new possest;
The rose, the lily, look more gay,
When plac'd upon your breast.
When you're with me, the pretty birds
Exalt their charming notes;
But when you're gone, they then refuse
To tune their warbling throats.
The vegetable world around
Catch beauty from thine eye;
But when you're hid their lustre fades,
They wither, and they die.
Thy charms all so transporting are,
They strike me with amaze;
Replete with wonder at each view,
I sigh, I love, I gaze.
Gaze! did I say? With joy I'd die,
When folded in thy arms;
The more I gaze still something new
Appeareth in your charms.
Thy beauty is the altar where
My sacrifice is laid;
Accept it then most graciously,
Thou amiable maid.
And whilst my heart before thee lies,
Both fervent and sincere,
Listen whilst I do yield it up
With this laconic prayer:
Dear Madam, hear a dying swain,
Redeem me from the grave;
And while I live I shall remain
Your very humble slave.
MAYFIELD,
CALEDONIENSIS.
Nov. 8, 1768.
A BILLET DOUX in the modern taste.
DEAR Madam, let this letter tell
The dictates of my mind;
And let thine eye propitious be,
And to its author kind.
Let his chaste wishes warm thy soul,
And turn thy lovely mind
Upon thy amorous swain, that he
His wish'd for prize may find.
Open thy heart, thou sprightly maid,
Keep up a lover's flame;
For thee I wish, for thee I sigh,
I've pleasure in thy name.
O do not disappoint my hopes,
Do not increase my fear;
Cherish my love, augment my bliss,
And happy make me here.
Thy words, when kind, refresh my soul,
New life and vigour give;
Thy smiles my actions animate,
And let me know I live.
When you commend what I have done,
What pleasure do I find!
When you do blame, then I'm, alas!
Most wretched of mankind!
When you with me vouchsafe to sit,
And pleasingly dost sing;
Then I, who am your humble slave,
Am happier than a King.
To sit by thee, and view thy charms,
And hear thy lovely voice,
Then clasp thee softly in my arms,
Is all my wish and choice.
Thy frowns do pierce my very heart,
Thy smiles do me revive;
Thy absence wastes me to a shade,
Thy presence keeps alive.
At thy approach all nature smiles,
Of beauties new possest;
The rose, the lily, look more gay,
When plac'd upon your breast.
When you're with me, the pretty birds
Exalt their charming notes;
But when you're gone, they then refuse
To tune their warbling throats.
The vegetable world around
Catch beauty from thine eye;
But when you're hid their lustre fades,
They wither, and they die.
Thy charms all so transporting are,
They strike me with amaze;
Replete with wonder at each view,
I sigh, I love, I gaze.
Gaze! did I say? With joy I'd die,
When folded in thy arms;
The more I gaze still something new
Appeareth in your charms.
Thy beauty is the altar where
My sacrifice is laid;
Accept it then most graciously,
Thou amiable maid.
And whilst my heart before thee lies,
Both fervent and sincere,
Listen whilst I do yield it up
With this laconic prayer:
Dear Madam, hear a dying swain,
Redeem me from the grave;
And while I live I shall remain
Your very humble slave.
MAYFIELD,
CALEDONIENSIS.
Nov. 8, 1768.
What sub-type of article is it?
Verse Letter
What themes does it cover?
Love Courtship
What keywords are associated?
Billet Doux
Love Letter
Amorous Swain
Courtship Verse
Romantic Plea
What entities or persons were involved?
Mayfield, Caledoniensis
Poem Details
Title
A Billet Doux In The Modern Taste.
Author
Mayfield, Caledoniensis
Subject
Billet Doux
Form / Style
Rhymed Couplets
Key Lines
Dear Madam, Let This Letter Tell
The Dictates Of My Mind;
And Let Thine Eye Propitious Be,
And To Its Author Kind.
To Sit By Thee, And View Thy Charms,
And Hear Thy Lovely Voice,
Then Clasp Thee Softly In My Arms,
Is All My Wish And Choice.
Dear Madam, Hear A Dying Swain,
Redeem Me From The Grave;
And While I Live I Shall Remain
Your Very Humble Slave.