| William Stanley Braithwaite, ed. The Book of Georgian Verse. 1909. | | | | Too Plain, Dear Youth, These Tell-tale Eyes | | By Soame Jenyns (1704–1787) |
| | | TOO plain, dear youth, these tell-tale eyes | |
| My heart your own declare; | |
| But for love’s sake let it suffice | |
| You reign triumphant there. | |
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| Forbear your utmost power to try, | 5 |
| Nor further urge your sway; | |
| Press not for what I must deny, | |
| For fear I should obey. | |
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| Could all your arts successful prove, | |
| Would you a maid undo, | 10 |
| Whose greatest failing is her love, | |
| And that her love for you? | |
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| Say, would you use that very power | |
| You from her fondness claim, | |
| To ruin in one fatal hour | 15 |
| A life of spotless fame? | |
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| Resolve not then to do an ill, | |
| Because perhaps you may; | |
| But rather us your utmost skill | |
| To save me, than betray. | 20 |
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| Be you yourself my virtue’s guard; | |
| Defend, and not pursue; | |
| Since ’tis a task for me too hard | |
| To strive with love and you. | | | | |
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