Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1900.djvu/538

 447. Belinda's Recovery from Sickness

Thus when the silent grave becomes Pregnant with life as fruitful wombs; When the wide seas and spacious earth Resign us to our second birth; Our moulder'd frame rebuilt assumes New beauty, and for ever blooms, And, crown'd with youth's immortal pride, We angels rise, who mortals died.

JAMES THOMSON

1700-1748

448. On the Death of a particular Friend

As those we love decay, we die in part, String after string is sever'd from the heart; Till loosen'd life, at last but breathing clay, Without one pang is glad to fall away.

Unhappy he who latest feels the blow! Whose eyes have wept o'er every friend laid low, Dragg'd ling'ring on from partial death to death, Till, dying, all he can resign is—breath.

GEORGE LYTTELTON, LORD LYTTELTON

1709-1773

449. Tell me, my Heart if this be Love

When Delia on the plain appears, Awed by a thousand tender fears I would approach, but dare not move: Tell me, my heart, if this be love?