A Belard and Eloifa flourish'd in the twelfth Century; they were two of the most distinguish'd perfons of their age in learning and beauty, but for nothing more famous than for their unfortunate paffion. After a long courfe of calamities, they retired each to a feveral convent, and confecrated the remainder of their days to religion. It was many years after this feparation, that a letter of Abelard's to a friend which contain'd the history of his misfortunes, fell into the hands of Eloifa. This awakening all her tenderness, occafion'd thofe celebrated letters (out of which the following is partly extracted) which give fo lively a picture of the Struggles of grace and nature, virtue and paffion. 1 ELOISA то ABELAR D. N thefe deep folitudes and awful cells, IN Where heav'nly-penfive contemplation dwells, What means this tumult in a vestals veins ? Dear fatal name! reft ever unreveal'd, Hide it, my heart, within that close disguise, Her heart ftill dictates, and her hand obeys. Heav'n claims me all in vain while he has part, Soon as thy letters trembling I unclofe,. Line |