Page:Ovid's Metamorphoses (Vol. 2) - tr Garth, Dryden, et. al. (1727).djvu/74

64 Thy Lover (gentle Caunus) wishes thee That Health, which thou alone canst give to me. O charming Youth, the Gift I ask bestow, E'er thou the Name of the fond Writer know; To thee without a Name I would be known, Since knowing that, my Frailty I must own. Yet why shou'd I my wretched Name conceal? When thousand Instances my Flames reveal: Wan Looks, and weeping Eyes have spoke my Pain, And Sighs discharg'd from my heav'd Heart in vain; Had I not wish'd my Passion might be seen, What cou'd such Fondness and Embraces mean? Such Kisses too! (Oh heedless lovely Boy) Without a Crime no Sister cou'd enjoy: Yet (tho' extreamest Rage has rack'd my Soul, And raging Fires in my parch'd Bosom roul) Be Witness, Gods! how piously I strove, To rid my Thoughts of this enchanting Love. But who cou'd scape so fierce, and sure a Dart, Aim'd at a tender, and defenceless Heart? Alas! what Maid cou'd suffer I have born, E're the dire Secret from my Breast was torn; To thee a helpless vanquish'd Wretch I come, 'Tis you alone can save, or give my Doom; My Life, or Death this Moment you may chuse, Yet think, Oh think, no hated Stranger sues, No Foe; but one, alas! too near ally'd, And wishing still much nearer to be ty'd. The Forms of Decency let Age debate, And Virtue's Rules by their cold Morals state; Their ebbing Joys give Leisure to enquire, And blame those noble Flights our Youth inspire; Where Nature kindly summons let us go, Our sprightly Years no Bounds in Love shou'd know, Shou'd feel no Check of Guilt, and fear no Ill; Lovers, and Gods act all things at their Will: We