But when the Golden-thron'd Aurora made
Tithonus Partner of her rosy Bed,
(Tithonus too was of the Trojan Line,
Resembling Gods in Face and Form Divine)
For him she straight the Thunderer address'd,
That with perpetual Life he might be bless'd:
Jove heard her Pray'r, and granted her Request.
But ah! how rash was she, how indiscreet!
The most material Blessing to omit;
Neglecting, or not thinking to provide,
That Length of Days might be with Strength supply'd;
And to her Lover's endless Life, engage
An endless Youth, incapable of Age.
But hear what Fate befell this heav'nly Fair,
In Gold inthron'd, the brightest Child of Air,
Tithonus, while of pleasing Youth possess'd,
Is by Aurora with Delight caress'd;
Dear to her Arms, he in her Court resides,
Beyond the Verge of Earth, and Ocean's utmost Tides.
But, when he saw gray Hairs begin to spread,
Deform his Beard, and disadorn his Head,
The Goddess cold in her Embraces grew,
His Arms declin'd, and from his Bed withdrew;
Yet still a kind of nursing Care she show'd,
And Food ambrosial, and rich clothes bestow'd:
But when of Age he felt the sad Extreme,
And ev'ry Nerve was shrunk, and Limb was lame,
Lock'd in a Room her useless Spouse she left,
Of Youth, of Vigour, and of Voice bereft.
On Terms like these, I never can desire
Thou shouldst to Immortality aspire.