EGOTISM. A LETTER TO J. T. BECHER. [1]
[Greek: Heauton bur_on aeidei.]
1.
If Fate should seal my Death to-morrow, (Though much _I_ hope she will _postpone_ it,) I"ve held a share _Joy_ and _Sorrow_, Enough for _Ten_; and _here_ I _own_ it.
2.
I"ve lived, as many others live, And yet, I think, with more enjoyment; For could I through my days again live, I"d pa.s.s them in the "same" employment.
3.
That "is" to say, with "some exception", For though I will not make confession, I"ve seen too much of man"s deception Ever again to trust profession.
4.
Some sage "Mammas" with gesture haughty, p.r.o.nounce me quite a youthful Sinner-- But "Daughters" say, "although he"s naughty, You must not check a "Young Beginner"!"
5.
I"ve loved, and many damsels know it-- But whom I don"t intend to mention, As "certain stanzas" also show it, "Some" say "deserving Reprehension".
6.
Some ancient Dames, of virtue fiery, (Unless Report does much belie them,) Have lately made a sharp Enquiry, And much it "grieves" me to "deny" them.
7.
Two whom I lov"d had "eyes" of "Blue", To which I hope you"ve no objection; The "Rest" had eyes of "darker Hue"-- Each Nymph, of course, was "all perfection".
8.
But here I"ll close my "chaste" Description, Nor say the deeds of animosity; For "silence" is the best prescription, To "physic" idle curiosity.
9.
Of "Friends" I"ve known a "goodly Hundred"-- For finding "one" in each acquaintance, By "some deceived", by others plunder"d, "Friendship", to me, was not "Repentance".
10.
At "School" I thought like other "Children"; Instead of "Brains", a fine Ingredient, "Romance", my "youthful Head bewildering", To "Sense" had made me disobedient.
11.
A victim, "nearly" from affection, To certain "very precious scheming", The still remaining recollection Has "cured" my "boyish soul" of "Dreaming".
12.
By Heaven! I rather would forswear The Earth, and all the joys reserved me, Than dare again the "specious Snare", From which "my Fate" and "Heaven preserved" me.
13.
Still I possess some Friends who love me-- In each a much esteemed and true one; The Wealth of Worlds shall never move me To quit their Friendship, for a new one.
14.
But Becher! you"re a "reverend pastor", Now take it in consideration, Whether for penance I should fast, or Pray for my "sins" in expiation.
15.
I own myself the child of "Folly", But not so wicked as they make me-- I soon must die of melancholy, If "Female" smiles should e"er forsake me.
16.
"Philosophers" have "never doubted", That "Ladies" Lips" were made for "kisses!"
For "Love!" I could not live without it, For such a "cursed" place as "This is".
17.