Whor'd by my flave----perfidious wretch! may hell As furely feize thee, as I faw too well. you fee, 770 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 ne'er had us'd these killing words to me: So help me, fates, as 'tis no perfect fight, 775 But fome faint glimm'ring of a doubtful light. What I have faid (quoth he) I must maintain, For by th'immortal pow'rs it feem'd too plain--By all those pow'rs, fome frenzy feiz'd your mind, 779 (Reply'd the dame) are these the thanks I find? Wretch that I am, that e'er I was fo kind! She faid; a rifing figh exprefs'd her woe, The ready tears apace began to flow, And as they fell she wip'd from either eye 784 The drops (for women, when they lift, can cry.) The Knight was touch'd; and in his looks appear'd Signs of remorse, while thus his spouse he chear'd: Madam, 'tis paft, and my Come down, and vex your tender heart no more; Excufe me, dear, if aught amifs was said, 790 Ah mylov'dlord! 'twas much unkind (she cry'd) Then, Sir, be cautious, nor too rafhly deem; Heav'n knows how feldom things are what they feem! 805 Confult your reason, and you foon fhall find With that she leap'd into her Lord's embrace With well diffembled virtue in her face. 811 He hugg'd her close, and kiss'd her o'er and o'er, Disturb'd with doubts and jealoufies no more; Both, pleas'd and blefs'd, renew'd their mutual Vows, A fruitful wife, and a believing spouse. 815 Thus ends our tale, whofe moral next to make, Let all wife husbands hence example take; And pray, to crown the pleasure of their lives, To be fo well deluded by their wives. |