Harriot to Caroline. A Poem.

Harriot to Caroline . Harriot and Caroline were only daughters to persons of distinction , who , from a partiality to one , neglected the other so much , that her chief associates were the servants . One of whom was the son of a clergyman , who died and left a numerous family , destitute and unprovided for , so that this youth was necessitated to go to service . The uncommon beauty and elegance of his person , &c. won the affection of the unexperienced Harriot . Her parents were informed of it ; and to prevent their union , they had him pressed to sea , and drove her from home . The lover , in despair , leaped overboard ; and endeavouring to gain the shore was unfortunately drowned ; which , as soon as it reaches Harriot's ears , she writes to her sister for a confirmation of the truth . A Poem . To thee thy Harriot , exercis'd in care , School'd in the discipline of black despair , Harriot , to thee , her sister and her friend , Dares the vast treasure of her woes commend ; Now fear forbids — then hope persuades again , Both love and horror guide my trembling pen , Horror — that knows not where it shou'd begin , To wail the lover lost , or weep the sin ; While love presents his beauties to my eyes , Then in my drooping fancy's sight he dies . A dire report has lately reach'd my ears , ( The source of these complaints and falling tears ) 'Twas said — I heard and fainted at the sound , 'Twas said — the poor fond Caledon is drown'd : Hoping 'tis false — yet dreading more 'tis true , A certain answer I request from you ; I'd fain believe some busy meddling friend May , thro' kind policy , his death pretend , Thinking ( how vain ) when I believ'd him lost , My heart would then by care no more be toss'd , And when his death had well possess'd my mind , ' Twou'd banish all that love had left behind . Alas ! how weak such artifice must prove , How little do they know the force of love ; Were he but living , my poor heart no more The loss of friends or fortune wou'd deplore ; Perhaps in time too I'd contented been Ne'er to have seen the dear-lov'd youth again . But , oh ! his death is agony to bear , To think on't only is extreme despair . " Then truly tell me , nor with flattering gloss , Varnish or hide the greatness of my loss , Tell the sad truth , by doubts I'm doubly curs'd , To doubt is ever to believe the worst . Art thou then gone , my daily , nightly care , My ALL that parents , friends or husband were , My CALEDON — oh hide me from my shame ! Still must I kiss his dear unhappy name . " dear , Join not the world , O be not you severe ; By all those joys , you're destin'd to afford , ( With Heav'n's permission ) to some worthy lord : Mock not , oh blame not my unhappy love , Pity that weakness which you can't approve . Was there no cliff , no rock , no island near , Did no kind plank his fainting body bear ? Thus do I strive , thus arguments invent , Thus are my days in fruitless wishes spent : He's lost , he's gone , on the rough waves he's borne , For ever from his faithful Harriot torne , Por ever gone — the sea , with sullen roar , Denies my treasure — to the friendly shore , To me denies to kiss his clay-cold face , Or clasp his body in a last embrace . Oh cruel parents ! ruffians to employ , To seize my soul's delight , my heart's sole joy ; Ah cruel parents ! but more cruel they To tear him from his native home away , Far , far away — to join a horrid crew , And , dying , pay the debt to vengeance due . Dear hapless youth , belov'd , bemoan'd in vain , There ends thy hope , there ends thy every pain , An end to every grief , and every care , No love , or Harriot more remember'd there . Peace to thy soul , no time my grief shall ' swage , In youth neglected , or despis'd in age , No change of place to me brings change of mind , No joy in sweet variety I find ; To me all light or darkness is the same , My nights are horror , and my days all shame . Say , sister , must my tears for ever flow , While Heav'n forgives , yet unforgiv'n below . Young as I was , e'er reason taught to tame The unruly passion that destroy'd my fame ; Unheedful of the event my heart was won , Before I knew what 'twas to be undone , By slow degrees I drew the spreading fire , I saw the youth , and seeing must admire , In his sad eye the languid tale he bore , He ask'd my pity — then he hop'd no more : Oh little did I think how soon to prove How near akin compassion is to love ; I lov'd him , sister , what cou'd weakness do ? Had'st thou but known him , thou hadst lov'd him too ; Tho' mean his state , tho' humble his degree , His soul was noble , and his heart was free , Fond foolish heart , by ME to ruin led , Me , me alone , the fatal passion sed . Weep , Harriot , weep , Heav'n claims each gushing tear , But reaps , alas ! the gleanings of despair , Oh , Caroline ! if the kind tender name Of Friend and Sister Come to thy Harriot , and with generous care Teach my poor suffering heart its woes to bear , Teach me , tho' humbl'd , to look up to Heav'n , To sue for grace , and hope to be forgiven , And when my task of penitence is o'er , And injur'd Heaven of me requires no more , When every grief sinks with me to the grave , From blasting tongues my hapless mem'ry save ; But ah ! be careful , let there not be known A name so wretched on the wounded stone .