National Gazette

MARCELLA IN A CONSUMPTION

When I, Marcella, fondly gaze,
Hit by the glance of thy bright eyes
Strange feelings in my bosom rise
And passion all my reason sways:

Worlds I would banish from my view
And quit the gods—to talk with you.

The smile that decks your fading cheek
To me a heavy heart declares;
When you are silent I would speak
But cowardice alarms my fears:

All must be sense, that you do prize
All that I say, be grave and wise.

When wandering in the evening shade
I shared her pains and felt her grief
A thousand tender things I said
But she would grant me no relief:

When from her hair I brushed the dew
She sighed—and said, 'tis not for you!

When drooping, dull, and almost dead
With fevers brought from sultry climes.
She would not hold my fainting head,
But recommended me some rhymes

On patience and on fortitude,
And other things, less understood.

When aiming to engage her heart
With verses from the muses' stock.
She ate, regardless of my art,
And counted seconds by the clock:

'And thus,' she cried, 'shall verse decay
And thus the world shall pass away.'

When languishing upon her bed.
(No longer fond of India gowns)
I came—and while the parson read
Of crystal skies and coral crowns,

She bade me at a distance stand
And leaned her head upon her hand.

So drooping hangs the fading roe
When summer ends the driving shower
So to the grave Marcella goes
Her whole duration but an hour:

Who shall oppose the gods' decree
Or what, fair maid, recover thee?

Such virtue in that spirit dwells.
Such fortitude amid such pain—
That now with pride my bosom swells
To think I have not lived in vain;

Since, lighting all the ages knew,
I learn philosophy from you.