Lines Addressed to a Young Lady

Doubtless, sweet girl! the hissing lead, Wafting destruction o'er thy charms And hurtling o'er thy lovely head, Has fill'd that breast with fond alarms. Surely some envious Demon's force, Vex'd to behold such beauty here, Impell'd the bullet's viewless course, Diverted from its first career. Yes! in that nearly fatal hour, The ball obey'd some hell-born guide; But Heaven, with interposing power, In pity turn'd the death aside.…