When Jacob with his Rachel fed
The flock from year to year,
To him how sweet the Seasons fled;
And so it seem’d to her.
But wretched was the Shepherd’s fate,
And sorely was he tried,
When he beheld, in sober state,
That Leah was his Bride.
But Leah, who to Jacob seem’d
A Wife he could not prize, 10
Had yet the Virtues that redeem’d
The weakness of her Eyes.
But Jacob’s love, and Laban’s flock,
And Labours for their Sake,
Took all the Terror from the Shock
That Care and Time could take.
It was poor Rachel’s harder part
Her Love, her Lord to [lose],
And in an Instant rob her Heart
Of Life’s delicious Views. 20
She ofttimes up the mountain went,
With bitter thoughts opprest,
And weeping saw the Shepherd’s Tent
Her Sister now possess’d.
Leah, she knew, would faithful prove,
And Jacob would give Truth applause;
And, when he once had vow’d to love,
He for his vow would find a Cause.—
Thou too art wed to Duty stern,
And to thy Vow wilt prove sincere; 30
And I, like Rachel, doom’d to [yearn],
Victim to Virtues I revere.
But she had Hope the Time would come,
And Jacob would for her be free;
Mine is an ever-during Doom,
And not a Hope remains for me.