Motives

Motives

IF to a girl who loves us truly

Her mother gives instruction duly

In virtue,duty,and what not,—

And if she hearkens ne’er a jot,

But with fresh-strengthen’d longing flies

To meet our kiss that seems to burn,—

Caprice has just as much concerned

As love in her bold enterprise[95].

But if her mother can succeed

In gaining for her maxims[96]heed，

And softening the girl’s heart too,

So that she coyly shuns[97]our view，—

The heart of youth she knows but ill;

For when a maiden is thus stern,

Virtue in truth has less concern

In this，than an inconstant[98]will.

1767－9.