"Enjoying, while we live, the present hour, 1096 "And dying in our excellence and flow'r. “ Then round our death-bed every friend should "And joyous of our conquest early won: [run, "While the malicious world with envious tears "Should grudge our happy end, and wish it theirs. 1101 Since then our Arcite is with honor dead, freed, "Or call untimely, what the Gods decreed? 1106 Could tears recal him into wretched life? "Their sorrow hurts themselves,; on him is lost; And, worse than both, offends his happy ghost. q ́ What then remains, but, after past annoy, 1111 "To take the good vicissitude of joy? "To thank the gracious Gods for what they give, "In marriage join'd with beauteous Emily; 1120 "Long love to her has borne the faithful knight, "And well deserv'd, had Fortune done him right; " 'Tis time to mend her fault; since Emily, 1125 "By Arcite's death, from former vows is free; "If you, fair sister, ratify th' accord, "And take him for your husband and your lord. "'Tis no dishonor to confer your grace 1130 "On one descended from a royal race: "And were he less, yet years of service past "From grateful souls exact reward at last : "Pity is Heaven's and yours; nor can she find "A throne so soft as in a woman's mind." 1134 He said she blush'd; and, as o'eraw'd by might, Seem'd to give Theseus, what she gave the knight, Then, turning to the Theban, thus he said; "Small arguments are needful to persuade "Your temper to comply with my command;-" And, speaking thus, he gave Emilia's hand. Smil'd Venus, to behold her own true knight Obtain the conquest, though he lost the fight; And bless'd, with nuptial bliss, the sweet labo-( rious night. Eros, and Anteros, on either side, 1140 One fir'd the bridegroom, and one warm'd the bride; And long-attending Hymen from above, All of a tenor was their after-life, No day discolour'd with domestic strife; 1146 1150 No jealousy, but mutual truth believ'd, So may the Queen of Love long duty bless, 1155 THE END. A Song for St. Cecilia's Day The Tears of Amynta for the Death of A Song, Fair, Sweet, and Young' High State and Honours' Rondelay A Song, Go tell Amynta' - A Song to a fair Young Lady, going out of the Town in Spring Song of a Scholar and his Mistress from Marriage a-la-Mode' from Tyrannic Love' ELEGIES AND EPITAPHS. To the Memory of Mrs Oldham DRYDEN. VOL. IV. 17 18 19 20 22 |