| Samuel Kettell, ed. Specimens of American Poetry. 1829. | | | | Song | | By John Shaw (1778–1809) |
| | | WHO has robb’d the ocean cave, | |
| To tinge thy lips with coral hue? | |
| Who from India’s distant wave, | |
| For thee, those pearly treasures drew? | |
| Who, from yonder orient sky, | 5 |
| Stole the morning of thine eye? | |
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| Thousand charms, thy form to deck, | |
| From sea, and earth, and air are torn; | |
| Roses bloom upon thy cheek, | |
| On thy breath their fragrance borne. | 10 |
| Guard thy bosom from the day, | |
| Lest thy snows should melt away. | |
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| But one charm remains behind, | |
| Which mute earth can ne’er impart; | |
| Nor in ocean wilt thou find, | 15 |
| Nor in the circling air a heart. | |
| Fairest! wouldst thou perfect be, | |
| Take, oh take that heart from me. | | | | |
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