TO HENRY. Amelia Opie (née Alderson) Alexander Huber Editor Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford
Broad Street Oxford OX1 3BG UK
Eighteenth-Century Poetry Archive
Taylor Institution Library St Giles' Oxford OX1 3NA UK info@eighteenthcenturypoetry.org https://www.eighteenthcenturypoetry.org/
Oxford This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. Opie, Amelia Alderson, 1769-1853. The Warrior's Return, and Other Poems. By Mrs. Opie. 2d. ed. London Printed for Longman, Hurst, Rees, and Orme, Paternoster-row 1808 pp. [139]-141.

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TO HENRY . SUPPRESS that cruel doubt , dear youth ! That starting tear , that sigh reprove ; Why dost thou wrong thine Emma's truth , And think that aught can change my love ? Though of the world's vain selfish smile Some adverse influence now bereave thee , By fondness I'll thy cares beguile , Though friends desert , I'll never leave thee . Then bid each anxious fear farewel , Each cold suspicion bid depart ! With thee , in deserts I could dwell , Be thou content with Emma's heart . Should care , should labour dim thine eye , Should nearly treasured hopes deceive thee , I'll love's persuasive duties try , And , till thou'rt cheered , I'll never leave thee . Should I , still urged by female pride , In humble scenes reluctant move , The ignoble feeling soon I'll chide , And hail the home of thee , and love . Should'st thou e'er frame a harsh reply , I'll not with weak reproaches grieve thee , But think new woes thy temper try , And at thy bidding sigh , and leave thee . Then learn to love affliction's hour , From hollow friends it sets thee free , And proves , beyond deception's power , The value of a friend like me . Then , whilst thou , Henry , hailst the day That bade false hopes no more deceive thee , I'll bless that passion's generous sway , Which made me vow .... I'd never leave thee .