Catharine Cockburn (1679-1749). Song-The Vain Advice. J. C. Squire, ed. 1921. A Book of Women's Verse

J. C. Squire, ed. A Book of Women’s Verse. 1921.

Song—The Vain Advice

By Catharine Cockburn (1679–1749)


AH, gaze not on those eyes! forbear
That soft enchanting voice to hear:
Not looks of basilisks give surer death,
Nor syrens sing with more destructive breath.

Fly, if thy freedom thou’dst maintain;	5
Alas! I feel, th’ advice is vain!
A heart, whose safety but in flight does lie,
Is too far lost to have the power to fly.