Osm. Where? Ha! What do I see, Antonio! I am fortunate indeed-my friend, too, safe! Heli. Most happily, in finding you thus blessed. Alm. More miracles! Antonio escaped! Osm. And twice escaped; both from the rage of seas And war: for in the fight I saw him fall. Heli. But fell unhurt, a prisoner as yourself, Osm. There are no wonders; or else all is wonder. Heli. I saw you on the ground, and raised you up, When with astonishment I saw Almeria. Osm. I saw her too, and therefore saw not thee. Alm. Nor I; nor could I, for my eyes were yours. Osm. What means the bounty of all-gracious Heaven, That persevering still, with open hand, It scatters good, as in a waste of mercy! In all, and can continue to bestow, Leon. Or I am deceived, or I beheld the glimpse Of two in shining habits cross the aisle; Who, by their pointing, seem to mark this place. Alm. Sure I have dreamt, if we must part so soon. Osm. I wish at least our parting were a dream, Or we could sleep till we again were met. Heli. Zara and Selim, sir; I saw and know them: You must be quick, for love will lend her wings. Alm. What love? Who is she? Why are you alarmed? Osm. She's the reverse of thee; she's my unhappiness. Harbour no thought that may disturb thy peace; Should come, and see the straining of my eyes Retire, my love, I'll think how we may meet Ere next we meet Alm. Sure we shall meet again Osm. We shall; we part not but to meet again. Gladness and warmth of ever-kindling love Dwell with thee, and revive thy heart in absence! [Exeunt ALM. LEON. and HELI. Yet I behold her-yet-and now no more. Turn your lights inward, eyes, and view my thoughts, So shall you still behold her-'twill not be. Thus do our eyes, as do all common mirrors, Not what they would, but must; a star, or toad; Just as the hand of chance administers. But that in vain. I have Almeria here SONG. TELL me no more I am deceived, As such I lik'd, as such caress'd; But, oh! her thoughts on others ran, You think she's false, I'm sure she's kind; I take her body, you her mind, Who has the better bargain? ELIJAH FENTON. BORN 1683.-DIED 1730. ELIJAH FENTON was obliged to leave the university on account of his non-juring principles. He was for some time secretary to Charles, Earl of Orrery: he afterwards taught the grammar school of Sevenoaks, in Kent, but was induced, by Bolingbroke, to forsake that drudgery for the more unprofitable state of dependence upon a political patron, who, after all, left him disappointed and in debt. Pope recommended him to Craggs as a literary instructor, but the death of that statesman again subverted his hopes of preferment, and he became an auxiliary to Pope in translating the Odyssey, of which his share was the first, fourth, nineteenth, and twentieth books. The successful appearance of his tragedy of Mariamne on the stage, in 1723, relieved him from his difficulties, and the rest of his life was comfortably spent in the employment of Lady Trumbull, first as tutor to her son, and afterwards as auditor of her accounts. His character was that of an amiable but indolent man, who drank, in his great chair, two bottles of port wine a day. He published an edition of the works of Milton and of Waller. TO A LADY SITTING BEFORE HER GLASS. So smooth and clear the fountain was, In which his face Narcissus spy'd, The lark before the mirror plays, Love may such frauds for you prepare, But, Chloris, whilst you there review Then, sighing, you would wish your glass Let pride no more give nature law, But free the youth your power enslaves: Her form, like yours, bright Cynthia saw, Reflected on the crystal waves; Yet priz'd not all her charms above VOL. IV. |