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THE LADY'S LOOKING-GLASS, by             Poem Explanation         Poet's Biography
First Line: Celia and I the other day
Last Line: I with thee, or without thee, die!
Subject(s): Fate; Love; Sailing & Sailors; Sea; Storms; Destiny; Ocean


CELIA and I the other day
Walked o'er the sand-hills to the sea;
The setting sun adorned the coast,
His beams entire, his fierceness lost;
And on the surface of the deep,
The winds lay only not asleep.
The nymph did like the scene appear,
Serenely pleasant, calmly fair;
Soft fell her words, as flew the air:
With secret joy I heard her say,
That she would never miss one day
A walk so fine, a sight so gay.
But, oh the change! the winds grow high;
Impending tempests charge the sky;
The lightning flies; the thunder roars;
And big waves lash the frightened shores.
Struck with the horror of the sight,
She turns her head, and wings her flight;
And trembling vows, she 'll ne'er again
Approach the shore, or view the main.
Once more at least look back, said I;
Thyself in that large glass descry;
When thou art in good humour dressed,
When gentle reason rules thy breast,
The sun upon the calmest sea
Appears not half so bright as thee.
'Tis then, that with delight I rove
Upon the boundless depth of love;
I bless my chain, I hand my oar;
Nor think on all I left on shore.
But when vain doubt, and groundless fear
Do that dear foolish bosom tear;
When the big lip, and watery eye
Tell me, the rising storm is nigh;
'Tis then, thou art yon angry main,
Deformed by winds, and dashed by rain;
And the poor sailor, that must try
Its fury, labours less than I.
Shipwrecked, in vain to land I make;
While Love and Fate still drive me back;
Forced to dote on thee thy own way,
I chide thee first, and then obey.
Wretched when from thee, vexed when nigh,
I with thee, or without thee, die!





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