Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.
George Lyttelton, Lord Lyttelton. 17091773449. Tell me, my Heart, if this be Love
WHEN Delia on the plain appears, | |
Awed by a thousand tender fears | |
I would approach, but dare not move: | |
Tell me, my heart, if this be love? | |
Whene’er she speaks, my ravish’d ear | 5 |
No other voice than hers can hear, | |
No other wit but hers approve: | |
Tell me, my heart, if this be love? | |
If she some other youth commend, | |
Though I was once his fondest friend, | 10 |
His instant enemy I prove: | |
Tell me, my heart, if this be love? | |
When she is absent, I no more | |
Delight in all that pleased before— | |
The clearest spring, or shadiest grove: | 15 |
Tell me, my heart, if this be love? | |
When fond of power, of beauty vain, | |
Her nets she spread for every swain, | |
I strove to hate, but vainly strove: | |
Tell me, my heart, if this be love? | 20 |