EDWIN AND ALICIA. A TALE. Susanna Blamire 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. Blamire, Susanna, 1747-1794. The Poetical Works of Miss Susanna Blamire “The muse of Cumberland.” Now for the first time collected by Henry Lonsdale, M.D. with a preface, memoir, and notes by Patrick Maxwell, ... Edinburgh John Menzies, 61 Princes Street; R. Tyas, London; D. Robertson, Glasgow; and C. Thurnam, Carlisle. MDCCCXLII. 1842 pp. 136-141.

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EDWIN AND ALICIA . A TALE . MANY are the mournful stories Which the page of love unfolds ; Many are the piercing sorrows Which that faithful record holds . Love , that jewel of our nature , Parents oft have sought to buy ; But 'tis merit makes the purchase , Or 'tis fancy casts the die . 'Tis not wealth , nor sordid riches , That are treasures of the mind ; No ; — 'tis surely sweet contentment Which in humble breasts we find . Think not , parents , that your children Can your sober plans pursue , Or your influence bind their natures E'er to think or act like you . Fifty years have render'd callous Those affections which you blame ; But let Memory be recorder , And you'll find yours once the same . If at twenty hearts were harden'd , And could every feeling brave ; What would be their rigid natures Ere they dropp'd into the grave ! Once within this happy island Liv'd a knight of mighty fame ; Birth , and wealth , and growing greatness , From the world acquire a name . Pride had mix'd with every honour , And ambition steel'd his breast ; Nor did there e'er one soft emotion Make atonement for the rest . Yet the wise and gracious Donor Had one counter-gift bestow'd ; And , to lead his soul to mercy , Sweet Alicia points the road . Youth conjoin'd with all the Graces Taught the maiden how to move , And in every beauteous feature Beam'd benevolence and love . Flora , as she cross'd her garden , Twin'd the lily with the rose ; And , when passing sweet Alicia , On her head the gift bestows . Form'd by virtue and by nature For the solace of some heart , Many a youth with noble fervour Sought in her's to gain a part . Merit only caught the maiden , Merit made one youth belov'd ; — Edwin durst not hope for favour , Yet 'twas Edwin she approv'd . Birth nor riches gild his title , Simple worth is all his claim ; Yet she thinks that fair escutcheon Brightest in heraldic fame . But , alas ! the world's opinion Will not sanctify the thought ; Nor , Alicia , will thy father Value merit as it ought . Long was seen the lovely maiden In dejection slowly move ! Smiles forsook their former mansion And she fear'd the cause was love . This the angry father told her , And as he told he scorn'd her woes ; To her child , blanch'd with emotion , The unhappy mother goes . " Ah , my love , have you deceiv'd me ! Why not trust this feeling breast ? Sure thou knowest I'd die to save thee , Die to lull thy woes to rest . " " Yes ; too well I know your goodness , Gratitude now swells this heart ; And when forc'd to pierce that bosom , Think but how my own must smart . Your inquiring looks have ask'd me Often — why the smother'd sigh ? And your nice discernment told you Every cause and reason why . Often have you seen my sorrow , Seen the anguish of my soul ; Edwin — but I need not tell you , — Edwin does this heart controul ! " The gallant ship her wings unfurls , And speeds before the favouring wind ; Edwin from his lov'd retreats Reluctant hies to burning Ind . 'Tis not change of place nor climate Can a rooted sorrow move ; Neither is the power of absence Equal to the charm of love . Edwin found this truth , and , drooping , On the Ganges' banks reclin'd ; Sultry suns seem'd in conjunction With the fever of his mind . Sad despair , and cruel absence , Swift the vital thread had worn ; And upon his funeral bier Hapless Edwin soon was borne . Equal grief by slower movements Brought Alicia to the tomb ; Deep disease by secret workings Undermin'd her youthful bloom . Absence all her comforts wasted , All her joys with Edwin flew ; Though each day her glowing fancy Brought her Edwin to her view . O'er her father's rigid nature Dying sorrows now prevail ; — " Live Alicia , live my daughter ! Nor on me thy woes entail . My pride and hate I've now discarded ; Edwin's merit claims thy hand ; Soon , soon may propitious breezes Waft him to his native land ! " Joy illum'd its former mansion , Alicia's eye again was bright ; Hope shone forth in rays of gladness , And her soul was all delight . But ah , how short our gleams of pleasure ! Sorrow only seems to last ; Joys , like arrows , swiftly flying , Scarce are seen ere they are past . Alicia heard her Edwin's story , Then sweet hope for ever fled ; Every look declar'd her dying , And how much she wish'd her dead . Soon her wishes were accomplish'd , Soon she breath'd her latest breath ; And her parents mourn'd , heartbroken , Their dear Alicia till their death . Yearly shall the village maidens Visit poor Alicia's tomb , And , as they list her simple story , Strew fresh flowers of fairest bloom .