720 of those who less presum'd and better knew, who durst assert the juster ancient cause, and here restor❜d Wit's fundamental laws. Such was the Muse whose rules and practice tell "Nature's chief masterpiece is writing well.” Such was Roscommon, not more learn'd than good, with manners gen'rous as his noble blood; to him the wit of Greece and Rome was known, and ev'ry author's merit but his own. 726 730 Such late was Walsh--the Muse's judge and friend, who justly knew to blame or to commend ; to failings mild, but zealous for desert, the clearest head, and the sincerest heart. This humble praise, lamented shade! receive; this praise at least a grateful Muse may give: the Muse whose early voice you taught to sing, 735 prescrib'd her heights, and prun'd her tender wing, (her guide how lost) no more attempts to rise, but in low numbers short excursions tries; content if hence th' unlearn'd their wants may view, the learn'd reflect on what before they knew: careless of censure, nor too fond of fame; still pleas'd to praise, yet not afraid to blame; averse alike to flatter or offend; 740 not free from faults, nor yet too vain to mend. 744 ELOISA TO ABELARD. THE ARGUMENT. Abelard and Eloisa flourished in the twelfth century; they were two of the most distinguished persons of their age in learning and beauty, but for nothing more famous than for their unfortunate passion. After a long course of calamities, they retired each to a several convent, and consecrated the remainder of their days to religion. It was many years after this separation that a letter of Abelard's to a friend, which contained the history of his misfortune, fell into the hands of Eloisa. This awakening all her tenderness, occasioned those celebrated Letters (out of which the following is partly extracted), which give so lively a picture of the struggles of Grace and Nature, Virtue and Passion. [P.] In these deep solitudes and awful cells, what means this tumult in a vestal's veins? why rove my thoughts beyond this last retreat? 5 why feels my heart it's long-forgotten heat? yet, yet I love !---From Abelard it came, and Eloisa yet must kiss the name. Dear fatal name! rest ever unreveal'd, nor pass these lips, in holy silence seal'd: hide it, my heart, within that close disguise, where mix'd with God's, his lov'd idea lies: O write it not, my hand---the name appears already written---wash it out, my tears? in vain lost Eloisa weeps and prays, her heart still dictates, and her hand obeys. 10 15 Relentless walls? whose darksome round contains repentant sighs, and voluntary pains: ye rugged Rocks! which holy knees have worn; ye Grots and Caverns shagg'd with horrid thorn! 20 shrines! where their vigils pale-eye'd virgins keep, and pitying saints, whose statues learn to weep! All is not Heav'n's while Abelard has part, 25 30 still breath'd in sighs, still usher'd with a tear. 35 now warm in love, now with'ring in my bloom, lost in a convent's solitary gloom! there stern Religion quench'd th' unwilling flame; there dy'd the best of passions, love and fame. Yet write, oh write me all, that I may join griefs to thy griefs, and echo sighs to thine. Nor foes nor fortune take this pow'r away; and is my Abelard less kind than they? 40 50 Tears still are mine, and those I need not spare 45 love but demands what else were shed in pray'r; no happier task these faded eyes pursue; to read and weep is all they now can do. Then share thy pain, allow that sad relief; ah, more than share it, give me all thy grief. Heav'n first taught letters for some wretch's aid, some banish'd lover, or some captive maid; they live, they speak, they breathe what love inspires, warm from the soul, and faithful to its fires; the virgin's wish without her fears impart, 55 excuse the blush, and pour out all the heart, speed the soft intercourse from soul to soul, and waft a sigh from Indus to the pole. Thou know'st how guiltless first I met thy flame, when love approach'd me under Friendship's name; my fancy form'd thee of angelic kind, 61 some emanation of th' all-beautious mind. Those smiling eyes, attemp'ring ev'ry ray, shone sweetly lambent with celestial day. Guiltless I gaz'd; Heav'n listen'd while you sung; 65 and truths divine came mended from that tongue. From lips like those what precept fail'd to move? too soon they taught ine 't was no sin to love: back through the paths of pleasing sense I ran, nor wish'd an angel whom I lov'd a man. Dim and remote the joys of saints I see; nor envy them that heav'n I lose for thee. How oft, when press'd to marriage, have I said, Curse on all laws but those which Love has made! Love, free as air, at sight of human ties, 70 spreads his light wings, and in a moment flies. Let wealth, let honour, wait the wedded dame, august her deed, and sacred be her fame; before true passion all those views remove; fame, wealth, and honour! what are you to Love?' The jealous god, when we profane his fires, those restless passions in revenge inspires, and bids them make mistaken mortals groan, who seek in love for aught but love alone. Should at my feet the world's great master fall, himself, his throne, his world, I'd scorn 'em all: not Cæsar's empress would I deign to prove; no, make me mistress to the man I love! If there be yet another name more free, 75 81 85 more fond than mistress, make me that to thee 905 oh happy state! when souls each other draw, when love is liberty, and nature law: all then is full, possessing and possess'd, no craving void left aching in the breast: ev'n thought meets thought, ere from the lips it part, and each warm wish springs mutual from the heart. This sure is bliss (if bliss on earth there be), and once the lot of Abelard and me. Alas, how chang'd! what sudden horrors rise! a naked lover bound and bleeding lies! where, where was Eloïse? her voice, her hand, ber poniard had oppos'd the dire command. Barbarian, stay! that bloody stroke restrain; the crime was common, common be the pain. I can no more; by shame, by rage suppress'd, let tears and burning blushes speak the rest. Canst thou forget that sad, that solemn day, when victims at yon altar's foot we lay? canst thou forget what tears that moment fell, when, warm in youth, I bade the world farewell? as with cold lips I kiss'd the sacred veil, 100 105 111 the shrines all trembled, and the lamps grew pale; Heav'n scarce believ'd the conquest it survey'd, and saints with wonder heard the vows I made. Yet then, to those 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. 115 120 Come! with thy looks, thy words, relieve my woe; those still at least are left thee to bestow. Still on that breast enamour'd let me lie, still drink delicious poison from thy eye, pant on thy lip, and to thy heart be press'd; 1 |