To Clarinda

written in 1788

Fair Empress of the Poet's soul, And Queen of Poetesses; Clarinda, take this little boon, This humble pair of Glasses: And fill them up with generous juice, As generous as your mind; And pledge me in the generous toast, "The whole of human kind!" "To those who love us!" second fill; But not to those whom we love; Lest we love those who love not us A third - "To thee and me, Love!" Long may we live! Long may we love! And long may we be happy!!! And may we never want a Glass, Well charg'd with generous Nappy!!!!