LUCINA: AN ELEGY. Janet Little (later Richmond) 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. T126549 Little, Janet, 1759-1813. The Poetical Works of Janet Little, the Scotch Milkmaid. Air Printed by John & Peter Wilson 1792 pp. [94]-97.

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LUCINA : AN ELEGY . DIREFUL indeed are thy effects , O love ! When Reason's voice deserts thy frantic shrine ; Platonic lessons no asylum prove ; His dictates must obsequious yield to thine . Religion , in majestic form array'd , Attempts to soothe the wild , disorder'd breast , Alas ! too often fails the promis'd aid , Nor can procure one tranquil moment's rest . The wise , subdu'd by thy tyrannic sway , Thy cruel and malignant influence feel ; Compell'd to act by thy delusive ray , As humble vot'ries at thine altars kneel . The Prince , the Peasant , drag an equal chain , Nor high , nor low , thy subtle darts can brave . Lucina felt the agonizing pain , Then hopeless sunk amid the rapid wave . She was of Annon's lovely nymphs the grace , Of charms superior to the crowd possess'd : Her shape was faultless , matchless fair her face , Her virtues bright , by Envy's self confest . Of all the sprightly youths that sought to gain The envi'd conquest of her virgin heart , Philander prov'd the dear distinguish'd swain , Arm'd with the cruel , unrelenting dart . He in soft accents urg'd his ardent flame , And when Lucina would his suit deny , Her beating bosom would assert his claim – Her modest blush , and more expressive eye . At last her tongue , the purpose of her heart Unto the youth convey'd , in tender strain : Then mutual joy each whisper did impart , So great the transport neither dream'd of pain . But Ah ! their joys were soon for ever lost , Her sire , enrag'd , forbid the nuptial tie , Because Philander no rich stores could boast : Charms most attractive to a parent's eye . The injur'd youth was by resentment sway'd ; To this his softer passion soon gave way : Too rash , alas ! he sought another maid , And left Lucina to despair a prey . From ev'ry hope , from all her wishes torn , Depriv'd of what alone could give relief , The lovely fair , dejected and forlorn , Some time in heavy sighs did vent her grief . The nymphs assembling us'd their utmost art , The sad Lucina's sorrows to beguile : Vain was th' attempt to ease her bleeding heart , Or from her eye extort a cheerful smile . At latest hour , when each auspicious light Seem'd hid in chaos – Cynthia's silver beam Withdrew its lustre on that fatal night , Nor bless'd the shade nor wanton'd in the stream . Her auburne locks the mournful maiden tore , Her downy pillow could afford no rest ; She wander'd where the swelling surges roar , In wild despair she beat her snowy breast ! From Annon's cliff , she view'd the breaking wave ; Philander was her last , her darling theme ; No hand was near the frantic maid to save , And , Sappho-like , love's victim she became ! Ye rigid parents , with attentive ear , Instruction learn from this sad tale of wo : Ye heedless maids , in time the danger fear , That wrought Lucina's fatal overthrow .