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IN

VERS E.

In which are included those of

ABELARD and HELOISE.

Printed in MDCCLVIII.

ELOISA

ΤΟ

A BELARD.

The ARGUMENT.

Belard and Eloifa flourish'd in the twelfth Century;

they were two of the most distinguish'd persons of their age in learning and beauty, but for nothing more famous than for their unfortunate paffion. After a long courfe of Calamities, they retired each to a feveral Convent, and confecrated the remainder of their days to religion. It was many years after this feparation, that a letter of Abelard's to a Friend, which contain'd the history of his misfortune, fell into the hands of Eloïsa. This awakening all her tenderness, occafion'd thofe celebrated letters (out of which the following is partly extracted) which give fo lively a picture of the struggles of grace and nature, virtue and paffion.

ELOISA

ELOISA

ΤΟ

ABELARD.

1

N thefe deep folitudes and awful cells, Where heav'nly-penfive, contemplation dwells,

And ever mufing melancholy reigns;
What means this tumult in a Veftal's
veins?

Why rove my thoughts beyond this laft retreat?
Why feels my heart its long forgotten heat?

Yet, yet I love!·

-From Abelard it-came,

And Eloifa yet muft kits the name.

B 2

Dear

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