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Poem
February 25, 1785
Fowle's New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
A pastoral dialogue poem between Colin and Sylvia, where the lovesick swain convinces the skeptical maid of his true intentions by offering marriage, emphasizing sincerity in courtship over deceitful vows.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
POET's CORNER.
DIALOGUE
COLIN.
SYLVIA, must I ever burn?
Must I ever sigh in vain?
Why not show some kind return
To so true, so fond a swain?
SYLVIA.
Men were ever false in love,
Oaths and vows are but deceit;
Still from fair to fair they rove,
Each believing maid to cheat.
COLIN.
Lovely maid, those fears dispel,
Colin seeks not to betray,
Far from that, he loves so well,
Sylvia he would wed today!
SYLVIA.
Nay, dear youth, my heart you carry,
By that truth convincing stroke,
When the lover will but marry,
We are sure he does not joke.
COLIN.
Love-sick swains my counsel bear,
Would you break the maiden's pride.
Would you prove your love sincere,
Make, like me, the fair a bride.
Gentle maid, of man beware,
Oft they sigh and vow in jest,
He who truly loves the fair,
Offers marriage as the test.
BOTH.
Away then deceit, and trust us you'll find
When swains are but honest, the nymphs will be kind.
DIALOGUE
COLIN.
SYLVIA, must I ever burn?
Must I ever sigh in vain?
Why not show some kind return
To so true, so fond a swain?
SYLVIA.
Men were ever false in love,
Oaths and vows are but deceit;
Still from fair to fair they rove,
Each believing maid to cheat.
COLIN.
Lovely maid, those fears dispel,
Colin seeks not to betray,
Far from that, he loves so well,
Sylvia he would wed today!
SYLVIA.
Nay, dear youth, my heart you carry,
By that truth convincing stroke,
When the lover will but marry,
We are sure he does not joke.
COLIN.
Love-sick swains my counsel bear,
Would you break the maiden's pride.
Would you prove your love sincere,
Make, like me, the fair a bride.
Gentle maid, of man beware,
Oft they sigh and vow in jest,
He who truly loves the fair,
Offers marriage as the test.
BOTH.
Away then deceit, and trust us you'll find
When swains are but honest, the nymphs will be kind.
What sub-type of article is it?
Pastoral
Song
What themes does it cover?
Love Courtship
Marriage Celebration
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Colin Sylvia
Love Dialogue
Marriage Proposal
True Love
Courtship Sincerity
Pastoral Verse
Poem Details
Title
Dialogue
Subject
Dialogue Between Colin And Sylvia On True Love And Marriage
Form / Style
Rhymed Couplets Dialogue
Key Lines
Sylvia, Must I Ever Burn?
Must I Ever Sigh In Vain?
Why Not Show Some Kind Return
To So True, So Fond A Swain?
When The Lover Will But Marry,
We Are Sure He Does Not Joke.
Offers Marriage As The Test.
Away Then Deceit, And Trust Us You'll Find
When Swains Are But Honest, The Nymphs Will Be Kind.