Page:Cyder - a poem in two books (1708).djvu/18

BOOK I.  Reign far and near; grim Death, in different Shapes, Depopulates the Nations, thousands fall His Victims, Youths, and Virgins, in their Flower, Reluctant die, and sighing leave their Loves Unfinish'd, by infectious Heav'n destroy'd.


 * Such Heats prevail'd, when fair Eliza, last

Of Winchcomb's Name (next Thee in Blood, and Worth, O fairest St. John!) left this toilsome World In Beauty's Prime, and sadden'd all the Year: Nor cou'd her Virtues, nor repeated Vows Of thousand Lovers, the relentless Hand Of Death arrest; She with the Vulgar fell, Only distinguish'd by this humble Verse.


 * But if it please the Sun's intemp'rate Force

To know, attend; whilst I of ancient Fame The Annals trace, and image to thy Mind, Rh