If I might be admitted to kiss her sweet lips again, or once
more press her divinely rising breasts, perhaps my vigour wou'd
revive, which now I believe lyes opprest by witchcraft. I shou'd
dispense with my reproaches, shou'd forget that I was beat; esteem my
being turn'd out of doors, a sport; so I might be again happy in her
favours."
These thoughts and the image of the beautiful Circe so rais'd my mind,
that I oft, as if my love was in my arms, with a great deal of
fruitless ardour, hug'd the bed-cloaths, till out of patience with the
lasting affliction I began to reproach my impotence; yet recovering my
presence of mind, I flew for comfort to the misfortunes of ancient
hero's, and thus broke out:
"Not only me th' avenging gods pursue,
Oft they their anger on their hero's throw;
By Juno's rage Alcides Heaven bore,
And Pelia's injur'd Juno knew before.
Leomedon Heaven's dire resentments felt,
And Telephus's blood washt out his guilt.
We cannot from the wrathful godhead run
Crafty Ulysses cou'd not Neptune shun.
Provokt Priapus o're the land and sea,
Has left his Hellespont to follow me."
Full of anxious cares I spent the night: and Gito, inform'd that I lay
at home, enter'd my chamber by day-break, when having passionately
complain'd of my loose life, he told me the family took much notice of
my behaviour, that I was seldom in waiting, and that perhaps the
company I kept wou'd be my ruin.
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