Poem by Anna Laetitia Barbauld

Song 2 (IF ever thou didst joy to bind)

IF ever thou didst joy to bind
Two hearts in equal pasion join'd,
O son of Venus! hear me now,
And bid Florella bless my vow.

If any bliss reserv'd for me
Thou in the leaves of fate should'st see;
If any white propitious hour,
Pregnant with hoarded joys in store;

Now, now the mighty treasure give,
In her for whom alone I live;
In sterling love pay all the sum,
And I'll absolve the fates to come.

In all the pride of full-blown charms
Yield her, relenting, to my arms:
Her bosom touch with soft desires,
And let her feel what she inspires.

But, Cupid, if thine aid be vain
The dear reluctant maid to gain;
If still with cold averted eyes
She dash my hopes, and scorn my sighs;

O! grant ('tis all I ask of thee)
That I no more may change than she;
But still with duteous zeal love on,
When every gleam of hope is gone.

Leave me then alone to languish;
Think not time can heal my anguish;
Pity the woes which I endure;
But never, never grant a cure. 

1. The Invitation, to Miss B—
2. Song 3 (LEAVE me, simple shepherd, leave me)
3. To Miss R—, on her Attendance upon her Mother at Buxton
4. An Inventory of the Furniture in Dr. Priestley's Study
5. To a Lady, with painted Flowers

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