TO LEILA

Translated into English Verse by J. D. Carlyle, BD

 

Leila, with too successful art,

   Has spread for me Love's cruel snare;

 And now, when she has caught my heart,

   She laughs, and leaves it to despair.

Thus the poor sparrow pants for breath,

   Held captive by a playful boy;

 And while it drinks the draught of death,

   The thoughtless child looks on with joy.

Ah! were its fluttering pinions free,

   Soon would it bid its chains adieu;

 Or did the child its sufferings see,

   He'd pity and relieve them too.