WHEN dear Clarinda, 1 matchless fair, <br />First struck Sylvander's raptur'd view, <br />He gaz'd, he listened to despair, <br />Alas! 'twas all he dared to do. <br /> <br /> <br />Love, from Clarinda's heavenly eyes, <br />Transfixed his bosom thro' and thro'; <br />But still in Friendships' guarded guise, <br />For more the demon fear'd to do. <br /> <br /> <br />That heart, already more than lost, <br />The imp beleaguer'd all perdue; <br />For frowning Honour kept his post— <br />To meet that frown, he shrunk to do. <br /> <br /> <br />His pangs the Bard refused to own, <br />Tho' half he wish'd Clarinda knew; <br />But Anguish wrung the unweeting groan— <br />Who blames what frantic Pain must do? <br /> <br /> <br />That heart, where motley follies blend, <br />Was sternly still to Honour true: <br />To prove Clarinda's fondest friend, <br />Was what a lover sure might do. <br /> <br /> <br />The Muse his ready quill employed, <br />No nearer bliss he could pursue; <br />That bliss Clarinda cold deny'd— <br />"Send word by Charles how you do!" <br /> <br /> <br />The chill behest disarm'd his muse, <br />Till passion all impatient grew: <br />He wrote, and hinted for excuse, <br />'Twas, 'cause "he'd nothing else to do." <br /> <br /> <br />But by those hopes I have above! <br />And by those faults I dearly rue! <br />The deed, the boldest mark of love, <br />For thee that deed I dare uo do! <br /> <br /> <br />O could the Fates but name the price <br />Would bless me with your charms and you! <br />With frantic joy I'd pay it thrice, <br />If human art and power could do! <br /> <br /> <br />Then take, Clarinda, friendship's hand, <br />(Friendship, at least, I may avow;) <br />And lay no more your chill command,— <br />I'll write whatever I've to do.SYLVANDER.<br /><br />Robert Burns<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/sylvander-to-clarinda/
