To Stella

  1 Not the soft sighs of vernal gales,
    The fragrance of the flowery vales,
    The murmurs of the crystal rill,
    The vocal grove, the verdant hill;
    Not all their charms, though all unite,
    Can touch my bosom with delight.



  2 Not all the gems on India's shore,
    Not all Peru's unbounded store,
    Not all the power, nor all the fame,
    That heroes, kings, or poets claim;
    Nor knowledge, which the learn'd approve,
    To form one wish my soul can move.
  3 Yet Nature's charms allure my eyes,
    And knowledge, wealth, and fame I prize;
    Fame, wealth, and knowledge I obtain,
    Nor seek I Nature's charms in vain--
    In lovely Stella all combine,
    And, lovely Stella! thou art mine.