sylvander to clarinda 注释标题 a grass-widow, mrs. m'lehose.

extempore reply to verses addressed to the author by a lady, under the signature of “clarinda” and entitled, on burns saying he 'had nothing else to do.'

when dear clarinda, matchless fair,

first struck sylvander's raptur'd view,

he gaz'd, he listened to despair,

alas! 'twas all he dared to do.

love, from clarinda's heavenly eyes,

transfixed his bosom thro' and thro';

but still in friendships' guarded guise,

for more the demon fear'd to do.

that heart, already more than lost,

the imp beleaguer'd all perdue;

for frowning honour kept his post—

to meet that frown, he shrunk to do.

his pangs the bard refused to own,

tho' half he wish'd clarinda knew;

but anguish wrung the unweeting groan—

who blames what frantic pain must do?

that heart, where motley follies blend,

was sternly still to honour true:

to prove clarinda's fondest friend,