Oh with what Pleasure did I pass away.
The too swift course of the delightful day!
What Joys I found in being a Slave
To every Conquering Smile she gave,
Whose every sweetness wou’d inspire
The Cinick and the Fool with Love;
Alas, I needed no more Fire,
Who did its height already prove:
Ah my Aminta! had I been content,
With this degree of Ravishment,
With the nee’r satisfy’d delight I took,
Only to prattle Love, to sigh and look,
With the dull Bartering Kiss for Kiss,
And never aim’d at higher Bliss,
With all the stealths forgetful Lovers make,
When they their Little Covenants break:
To these sad shades of Death I’d not been hurl’d,
And thou mightst still have blest the drooping World;
But though my Pleasure were thus vast and high, }
Yet Loves insatiate Luxury }
Still wish’d reveal’d the unknown Mystery. }
But still Love importun’d, nor cou’d I rest,
So often, and impatiently he prest,
That I the lovely Virgin wou’d invite,
To the so worshipp’d Temple of Delight.
By all the Lovers Arts I strove to move,
And watch the softest Minutes of her Love,
Which against all my Vows and Prayers were proof.
Alas she lov’d, but did not love enough:
And I cou’d no returns but Anger get,
Her Heart was not intirely conquer’d yet;
For liking, I mistook her Complysance,
And that for Love; when ’twas her Confidence.
But ’twas not long my Sighs I did imploy,
Before she rais’d me to the height of Joy.
And all my Fears and Torments to remove,
Yields I shall lead her to the Court of LOVE.
Here, Lysidas, thou thinks me sure and blest,
With Recompence for all my past unrest;
But fortun’d smil’d the easier to betray,
She’s less inconstant than a Lover’s Joy:
For whilst our Chariot Wheels out-stript the Wind,
Leaving all thought of Mortal Cares behind,
Whilst we sate gazing full of new surprize,
Exchanging Souls from eithers darting Eyes,
We encounter’d One who seem’d of great Command,
Who seiz’d the Reins with an all-pow’rful hand:
Awful his looks, but rude in his Address,
And his Authority roughly did express;
His violent Hands he on Aminta laid,
And out of mine snatch’d the dear trembling Maid;
So suddenly as hinder’d my defence,
And she cou’d only say in parting thence,
Forgive, Lisander, what by force I do,
Since nothing else can ravish me from you;
Make no resistance, I obey [5]Devoir.
Who values not thy Tears, thy Force or Prayer,
Retain thy Faith and Love Aminta still,
Since she abandons thee against her Will.
Immoveable I remain’d with this surprize,
Nor durst reply so much as with my Eyes.
I saw her go, but was of Sense bereav’d,
And only knew from what I heard, I liv’d;
Yes, yes, I heard her last Commands, and thence
By violent degrees retriev’d my Sense.
Ye Gods, in this your Mercy was severe,
You might have spar’d the useless favour here.
But the first Thoughts my Reason did conceive,
Were to pursue the injurious Fugitive.
Raving, that way I did my haste direct,
But once more met the Reverend Respect,
From whom I strove my self to dis-ingage,
And faign’d a calmness to disguise my Rage.
In vain was all the Cheat, he soon perceiv’d,
Spight of my Smiles, how much, and why I griev’d;
Saw my despairs, and what I meant to do,
And begg’d I wou’d the rash Design forego;
A thousand dangers he did represent,
T’ win me from the desperate attempt.
I ever found his Counsel just and good,
And now resolv’d it shou’d not be withstood;
Thus he ore-came my Rage, but did not free,
My Soul from Griefs more painful Tyranny;
Grief tho’ more soft, did not less cruel prove,
Madness is easier far then hopeless Love.
I parted thus, but knew not what to do;
Nor where I went; nor did I care to know;
With folded Arms, with weeping Eyes declin’d, }
I search the unknown shade, I cou’d not find, }
And mixt my constant Sighs with flying Wind. }
By slow unsteady steps the Paths I trace,
Which undesign’d conduct me to a place
Fit for a Soul distrest; obscur’d with shade,
Lonely and fit for Love and Sorrow made;
The Murmuring Boughs themselves together twist,
And ‘twou’d allow to Grief her self some rest.
Inviron’d ’tis with lofty Mountains round,
From whence the Eccho’s, Sighs, and Crys rebound;
Here in the midst and thickest of the Wood,
Cover’d with bending Shades a Castle stood,
Where Absence that dejected Maid remains,
Who nothing but her Sorrow entertains.
[5] Duty.