The Poetical Works

771

Did I for this the pow'r of magic prove? Unhappy wife, whose crime was too much love! 765 If this be struggling, by this holy light, Tis struggling with a vengeance (quoth theKnight;) So Heav'n preserve the sight it has restor❜d, As with these eyes I plainly saw thee whor'd; Whor'd by my slave---perfidious wretch!, may Hell As surely seize thee, as I saw too well. Guard me, good Angels! cry'd the gentle May, Pray Heav'n this magic work the proper way! Alas, my love! 'tis certain, could you see, You ne'er had us'd these killing words to me: 775 So help me, Fates! as 'tis no perfect sight, But some faint glimm'ring of a doubtful light. What I have said (quoth he) I must maintain, For by th' immortal Pow'rs it seem'd too plain--By all those Pow'rs, some frenzy seiz'd your

780

785

(Reply'd the dame), are these the thanks I find, Wretch that I am, that e'er I was so kind! She said, a rising sigh express'd her woe, The ready tears apace began to flow, And as they fell she wip'd from either eye The drops (for women, when they list, can cry). The Knight was touch'd; and in his looks appear'd Signs of remorse, while thus his spouse he cheer'd : Madam, 'tis past, and my short anger o'er! Come down, and vex your tender heart no more: 790 Excuse me, dear, if aught amiss was said, For, on my soul, amends shall soon be made:

Let my repentance your forgiveness draw;
By Heav'n, I swore but what I thought I saw.
Ah,my lov'dLord! 'twas much unkind (she cry'd)
On bare suspicion thus to treat your bride.
796
But till your sight's establish'd, for a while,
Imperfect objects may your sense beguile.
Thus, when from sleep we first our eyes display,
The balls are wounded with the piercing ray, 800
And dusky vapours rise, and intercept the day :
So just recov'ring from the shades of night,
Your swimming eyes are drunk with sudden light,
Strange phantoms dance around, and skim before
your sight.

Then, Sir, be cautious, nor too rashly deem; 805
Heav'n knows how seldom things are what they seem!
Consult your reason, and you soon shall find
'Twas you were jealous, not your wife unkind :
Jove ne'er spoke oracle more true than this,
None judge so wrong as those who think amiss. 810
With that she leap'd into her lord's embrace,
With well-dissembled virtue in her face.
He hugg'd her close, and kiss'd her o'er and o'er,
Disturb'd with doubts and jealousies no more:
Both, pleas'd and bless'd,renew'd their mutual vows,
A fruitful wife, and a believing spouse.

816

Thus ends our Tale, whose moral next to make, Let all wise husbands hence example take; And pray, to crown the pleasure of their lives, To be so well deluded by their wives.

820