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128 Verses address'd to a young Lady by a Gentleman previous to his embarkation for America [17 flourishes] 1 [?]ten fair Delia, to thy faithful Swain, Who whilst he pays due tribute to thy Charms, [con]fesses all that fills his heart with pain Creates his fears and gives his Breast Alarms.

2

[?]lt thou, while he a cruel absence grieves, While doom'd to wander o'er a faithless sea, [?]like that Element which oft deceives, Preserve a Faith, as true as mine to thee?

3d

[An]d when amid the buzzing trifling tribe That drawn like bees around the flow'ry sweet [?]iming with fewning flatt'ry to bribe That heart, thy Williams love alone should meet.

4th

[W]ilt thou undmindful of the artful tale, Still to thy absent lover constant prove;? [O?]r let their wily treacherous arts prevail, and rob me of my only hope -- thy Love.

5

Much tho I've heard of that Inconstancy. Which dwells too oft within the female Breast [overstriken: B?ls] Yet in thy gentle heart, Fidelity I still will think, remains a constant guest.

6th

Let me but from thy lovely hands receive The confirmation sweet of all my care. With Saintlike faith I will its truth believe That thou'st as constant, as I'm sure thou'st fair.

J. Mc.L.