He views not Flora with her Pompey's eyes, To please, for him, these faded charms repair; No fecond paffion can this heart engage; } 00000000 00000 0000 00000000 ARISBE to MARIUS Junior. From FONTENELLE. By the Same. When Marius was expelled from Rome by Sylla's faction, and retired into Africa, his fon (who accompany'd him) fell into the hands of Hiempfal king of Numilia, who kept him prifoner One of the miftreffes of that king fell in love with Marius junior, and was fo generous to contrive and give him his liberty, though by that means fhe facrificed her love for ever. Twas after he had rejoin'd his father, that he writ him the following letter. O I. F all I valued, all I lov'd, bereft, Say, has my heart this little comfort left? II. Tho' but with life my forrows can have end, (For death alone can join me to my friend) Yet think not I repent I fet you free, I mourn your abfence, not your liberty. III. Before my Marius left Numidia's coaft, Each day I faw him; fcarce an hour was loft: Now months and years muft pafs, nay life shall prove But one long abfence from the man I love. IV. Painful IV. Fainful reflection! poyson to my mind! V. Would't thou believe it? to those walls I fly VI. The live-long day I mourn, I loath the light, VII. That coz'ner hope intrudes not on my woe; When dreams, the kind reversers of my pain, VIII. Yet there's a grief furpaffing all the rest; IX. Then IX. Then I reflect (ah! would I could forget!) Too ftrong thy reafon, but too weak thy love. X. Thy fword, 'tis true, a father's caufe demands; XI. But what avail these thoughts? fond wretch, give o'er! Since Fate has caft the lot, and we must part, XII. Yes: let me cherish that remembrance ftill; .XIII. Deceitful comfort! let me not perfuade XIV. Per XIV. Perhaps ev'n you what moft I wish oppofe, And in the Roman all the lover lofe: I'm a Numidian, and your foul difdains To bear th' inglorious weight of foreign chains. Can any XV. climate then fo barb'rous prove, To ftand excluded from the laws of Love? His empire's univerfal, unconfin'd, His proxy beauty, and his flaves mankind. XVI. Nor am I a Numidian but by name, For I can int'reft for my love disclaim: My virtue fhows what 'twas the gods defign'd, By chance on Africk's clay they ftamp'd a Roman mind. XVII. Not all the heroes which your Rome can boast, So much for fame, as I for you have loft: My tryal greater, tho' my glory less. XVIII. Yes, partial gods! inflicters of my care! XIX. Whilft |