English

To You Æmelia, lovely Virgin, sues
From her fair Mansion the Nassovian Muse
To You she dedicates her humble Lays
And asks your Friendship while She sings your Praise
While all around Creations fairest Part
The lovelier Sex from Wisdom's Road depart
The wild Commands of Vanity obey
And in dull Trifles waste their Time away
You led by Reason with the prudent few
Fair Truths delightfull flow'ry Paths pursue
On elevated Themes your Thoughts employ
And taste Delight none but the wise enjoy

Then, a shriek, which those who heard it recollected ever after,
Rang out from that lone chamber, rang through hall and corridor:
" Dead! no, no — O God — O darling! " and she fell, with maniac laughter,
As pale and cold as marble, in the moonlight, on the floor.

Then, a shriek, which those who heard it recollected ever after,
Rang out from that lone chamber, rang through hall and corridor:
" Dead! no, no — O God — O darling! " and she fell, with maniac laughter,

Her own lovely eyes were tearful, when her touching tale was ended,
And he said, " So sweet a story sweet lips never told before. "
Then, along the crimson sunset, from the hill-top they descended,
Through the purple-laden vineyards, to the golden-sanded shore.

So, their lives ran on right brightly, and their pilgrim feet went straying
From the rivers of the Rhineland to the cities by the sea;
The artist, painting pictures, wheresoever they were staying,

But there came at length a letter, from this trouble-dream awakening,
Left, it seems, by some strange Signior, who had lately gone away:
But the bearer, in his ignorance, the name addressed mistaking,
Was unable to deliver it, at least, until that day:

" Who? What Signior? " asked the father. " Have you seen the English lady?
She has soft-blue eyes, brown ringlets; she is slender, fair, and tall. "
" No — the Signior went to Pisa; he is there, no doubt, already;

To fill up the Empty Pages following.

Vanity of Vanities

Vain, frail, short liv'd, and miserable Man,
Learn what thou art when thine estate is best:
A restless Wave o'th' troubled Ocean,
A Dream, a lifeless Picture finely drest:

A Wind, a Flower, a Vapour, and a Bubble,
A Wheel that stands not still, a trembling Reed,
A rolling Stone, dry Dust, light Chaff, and Stubble,
A Shadow of Something, but nought indeed

Learn what deceitful toyes, and empty things,

11

Cheer up, ye Saints, amidst your wants,
and sorrows many a one
Lift up the head, shake off all dread,
and moderate your mone
Your sufferings and evil things
will suddenly be past;
Your sweet Fruitions, and blessed Visions,
for evermore shall last.

12

Lament and mourn you that must burn
amidst those flaming Seas:
If once you come to such a doom,

1

What Mortal man can with his Span
mete out Eternity?
Or fathom it by depth of Wit,
or strength of Memory?
The lofty Sky is not so high,
Hells depth to this is small:
The World so wide is but a stride,
compared therewithall.

2

It is a main great Ocean,
withouten bank or bound:
A deep Abyss, wherein there is
no bottom to be found.

211

Dy fain they would, if dy they could,
but Death will not be had.
God's direful wrath their bodies hath
for ev'r Immortal made.
They live to ly in misery,
and bear eternal wo;
And live they must whilst God is just,
that he may plague them so.

212

But who can tell the plagues of Hell,
and torments exquisite?
Who can relate their dismal state,

201

Ye sinful wights, and cursed sprights,
that work Iniquity,
Depart together from me for ever
to endless Misery;
Your portion take in yonder Lake,
Where Fire and Brimstone flameth:
Suffer the smart, which your desert
as it's due wages claimeth.

202

Oh piercing words more sharp than swords!
what, to depart from Thee,
Whose face before for evermore

191

Unto their Treasures, or to their Pleasures,
all these have them forsaken:
Had they full Coffers to make large offers,
their Gold would not be taken
Unto the place where whilome was
their Birth and Education?
Lo! Christ begins for their great sins
to fire the Earths Foundation;

192

And by and by the flaming Sky
shall drop like molten Lead