Page:Ovid's Metamorphoses (Vol. 1) - tr Garth, Dryden, et. al. (1727).djvu/179

Book 4. By turns to catch each other's Breath they strove, And suck'd in all the balmy Breeze of Love. Oft as on diff'rent Sides they stood, they cry'd, Malicious Wall, thus Lovers to divide! Suppose, thou should'st a while to us give To lock, and fasten in a close Embrace: But if too much to grant so sweet a Bliss, Indulge at least the Pleasure of a Kiss. We scorn Ingratitude: To thee, we know, This safe Conveyance of our Minds we owe. Thus they their vain Petition did renew Till Night, and then they softly sigh'd Adieu. But first they strove to kiss, and that was all; Their Kisses dy'd untasted on the Wall. Soon as the Morn had o'er the Stars prevail'd, And warn'd by Phœbus, Flow'rs their Dews exhal'd, The Lovers to their well-known Place return, Alike they suffer, and alike they mourn. At last their Parents they resolve to cheat, (If to deceive in Love be call'd deceit) To steal by Night from home, and thence unknown To seek the Fields, and quit th' unfaithful Town. But to prevent their wand'ring in the Dark, They both agree to fix upon a Mark; A Mark, that could not their Designs expose: The Tomb of Ninus was the Mark they chose. There they might rest secure beneath the Shade, Which Boughs, with snowy Fruit encumber'd, made: A wide-spread Mulberry its Rise had took Just on the Margin of a gurgling Brook. Impatient for the friendly Dusk they stay; And chide the Slowness of departing Day; In Western Seas down sunk at last the Light, From Western Seas up-rose the Shades of Night. The loving Thisbe ev'n prevents the Hour, With cautious Silence she unlocks the Door, And