And when calm Orna with the count she saw, Hope (who, though weak, a willing painter is, And busily does every pattern draw) By that example could not work amiss. For soon she shap'd her lord and her so kinde, And now they move; and she thus rob'd, believes And then she thus complain'd! "Why royal maid! "Where can we safe our harmless blessings keep, Since glorious courts our solitude invade? Bells which ring out, when th' unconcern'd would sleep; [shade! False lights to scare poor birds in country "Or if our joys their own discov'ry make, Envy (whose tongue first kills whom she devours) Calls it our pride; envy, the poys'nous snake, Whose breath blasts maids, as innocent as flowres! "Forgive me, beauteous greatness, if I grow "And you, my plighted lord, forgive me too, If, since your worth and my defects I find, I fear what you in justice ought to do; And praise your judgment when I doubt you kind.” Now sudden fear o'er all her beauty wrought The pale appearance of a killing frost; And careful Orgo, when she started, thought She had her pledge, the precious emrauld, lost. But that kinde heart, as constant as her own, She did not miss; 'twas from a sudden sence, Least in her lover's heart some change was grown, And it grew pale with that intelligence. Soon from her bosome she this emrauld took : But such a cheerful green the gemm did fling In vain, so neer the rubies of her lips. Yet thence remov'd, with publick glory shines! For soon respect was up to rev'rence grown; But that her father took fear's ladder down; He knew, when fear shapes heav'nly pow'r so just Our courage honours him to whom we sue! |