Part 6 (1/2)

But if thou dost desire thy form to view, Look in my heart, where Love thy picture drew, 10 And then, if pleas'd with thine own shape thou be, Learn how to love thyself by[34:3] loving me.

SONG.

When I lie burning in thine eye, Or freezing in thy breast, What martyrs, in wish'd flames that die, Are half so pleas'd or blest?

When thy soft accents through mine ear 5 Into my soul do fly, What angel would not quit his sphere, To hear such harmony?

Or when the kiss thou gav'st me last My soul stole in its breath, 10 What life would sooner be embrac'd Than so desir'd a death?

When I commanded am by thee, } (Or by thine eye or hand,) } What monarch would not prouder be }[35:1] 15 To serve than to command? }

Then think not[35:2] freedom I desire, Or would my fetters leave, Since, phoenix-like, I from this fire Both life and youth receive. 20

SONG.

Fool! take up thy shaft again.

If thy store Thou profusely spend in vain, Who can furnish thee with more?

Throw not then away thy darts 5 On impenetrable hearts.

Think not thy pale flame can warm Into tears, Or dissolve the snowy charm Which her frozen bosom wears, 10 That expos'd unmelted lies To the bright suns of her eyes.

But since thou thy power hast lost, Nor canst fire Kindle in that breast, whose frost 15 Doth these flames in mine inspire; Not to thee but her I'll sue, That disdains both me and you!

DELAY.

Delay! Alas, there cannot be To Love a greater tyranny: Those cruel beauties that have slain Their votaries by their disdain, Or studied torments sharp and witty. 5 Will be recorded for their pity, And after-ages be misled To think them kind, when this is spread.

Of deaths the speediest is despair; Delays the slowest tortures are; 10 Thy cruelty at once destroys, But expectation starves my joys.

Time and Delay may bring me past The power of Love to cure, at last; And shouldst thou wish to ease my pain, 15 Thy pity might be lent in vain.

Or if thou hast decreed that I Must fall[36:1] beneath thy cruelty, O kill me soon! Thou wilt express More mercy, ev'n in showing less. 20

THE REPULSE.

Not that by this disdain I am releas'd, And, freed from thy romantic[37:1] chain, Do I myself think blest;

Not that thy flame shall burn 5 No more; for know That I shall into ashes turn Before this fire doth so.

Nor yet that unconfin'd I now may rove, 10 And with new beauties please my mind; But that thou ne'er didst love!

For since thou hast no part Felt of this flame, I only from thy tyrant heart 15 Repuls'd, not banish'd, am.

To lose what once was mine Would grieve me more Than those inconstant sweets of thine Had pleas'd my soul before. 20

Now I've not lost that[37:2] bliss I ne'er possessed; And, spite of Fate, am blest in this: That I was never blest.

SONG.

Celinda, by what potent art Or unresisted charm, Dost thou thine ear and frozen heart Against my pa.s.sion arm?