I can no more, by fhame, by rage fupprefs'd, 105 Let tears, and burning blushes speak the rest, III Canft thou forget that fad, that folemn day, When victims at yon altar's foot we lay? Canft thou forget what tears that moment fell, When, warm in youth, I bade the world farewell? As with cold lips I kifs'd the facred veil, The shrines all trembled, and the lamps grew pale: Heav'n fcarce believ'd the Conqueft it survey'd, And Saints with wonder heard the vows I made. Yet then, to thofe dread altars as I drew, Not on the Cross my eyes were fix'd but you: Not grace, or zeal, love only was my call, And if I lose thy love, I lose my all. 115 Come with thy looks, thy words, relieve my woe; Thofe ftill at least are left thee to bestow. 120 Still on that breaft enamour'd let me lie, Full in And make my 125 Ah think at least thy flock deserves thy care, Plants of thy hand, and children of thy pray'r 130 From the falfe world in early youth they fled, By thee to mountains, wilds, and deserts led. You rais'd these hallow'd walls; the defert fmil'd, And Paradife was open'd in the Wild. No weeping orphan saw his father's ftores 135 140 In these lone walls (their days eternal bound) These mofs-grown domes with fpiry turrets crown'd, 145 Where awful arches make a noon-day night, NOTES. 150 VER. 133. You rais'd thefe hallow'd walls;] He founded the Monastery. P. But why should I on others pray'rs depend? But o'er the twilight groves and dusky caves, Sad proof how well a lover can obey! Death, only death, can break the lasting chain; And here, ev'n then, shall my cold duft remain, Here all its frailties, all its flames refign, 175 And wait till 'tis no fin to mix with thine. 180 Ah wretch! believ'd the spouse of God in vain, Confefs'd within the flave of love and man. Affist me, heav'n! but whence arose that pray'r? Sprung it from piety, or from despair? Ev'n here, where frozen chastity retires, Love finds an altar for forbidden fires. I ought to grieve, but cannot what I ought; I mourn the lover, not lament the fault; I view my crime, but kindle at the view, Repent old pleasures, and follicit new; Now turn'd to heav'n, I weep my past offence, Now think of thee, and curfe my innocence. Of all affliction taught a lover yet, 185 "Tis fure the hardest science to forget! 190 195 For hearts fo touch'd, fo pierc'd, fo loft as mine. Ere fuch a foul regains its peaceful state, How often hope, despair, refent, regret, Renounce my love, my life, myself---and you. How happy is the blameless Vestal's lot? The world forgetting, by the world forgot : Eternal fun-fhine of the spotlefs mind! Each pray'r accepted, and each wish resign'd; Tears that delight, and fighs that waft to heav'n. NOTES. 220 VER. 212. Obedient flumbers, etc.] Taken from Crafhaw. P. |