Works

There was a French Count this Spring at Streatham Village—a raging Democrate—who lived with Macnamara—the famous Bon-Vivant, & used to sing the following Verses to a pretty Air composed by Gluck.

The words were written by Comte Boufflers Who having shewed signs of Passion for Antoinette when She was Queen of France—She asked him coquettishly how He would manage if he really did love her? he replied

Je ne diray point que J’aime
Vôtre Rang me le defend;
Mais le Dieu qui veut qu’on aime,
Ne consulte point le Rang.
Quand Adonis eut dit j’aime
Venus oublia sa Cour,
On est egaux quand on aime,
Tous les Cœurs sont a l’Amour.

Minor

Lorsque cet Enfant pour flatter nos Sens,
D’un objet charmant—Nous fait voir
Les Traits Seduisans:—
J’aime est le seul MotQu’on dit aussi tôt;
Et c’est vainement
Que l’on s’en defend.

Car pour ne pas dire J’aime
On ne sent pas moins l’ardeur,
Quand la Bouch ne dit J'aime
Le Mot est dit ar le Cœur.
Auprès de L’Objet qu’on aime,
Tout prononce un Mot si doux,
Et mes Yeux pour dire J’aime
N’ont qu’a se tourner vers Vous.

I made an lmproviso lmitation to the same Music which diverted them all exceedingly—the more so for the Slyness of the first Stanza I suppose—lf I can remember it I will write it out over Leaf.

Your Rank and lofty Station
Such flames might disapprove,
But the best Equalization
Is that produced by Love.
If the Boy belov’d of Venus
All Dangers dar’d oppose;
Sure thc Distance that’s between us,
A mutual Love might close.

Minor Key

When such Charms inspire,
And a gay Desire
Sets our Hearts on Fire
    Love alone those hearts will hear:
They can never droop
For while conscious hope
Gives our wishes Scope
    Far away flies servile Fear.

Your Eye my Thought accuses,
Search deeper and you'll find,
The Word my tongue refuses
Imprinted on my Mind.

Of a tender Inclination
Why then the truth disown?
When each Look that beams with Passion
Is turn’d tow’rds you alone.