The First ELEGY.
I Late the Roman Youth's lov'd praise and pride,
Whom long none could obtain, though thousands try'd,
Lo here am left (alas,) For my lost mate
T' embrace my Tears, and kiss an unkind Fate.
Sure in my early woe, Stars were at strife,
And try'd to make a Widow e'r a Wife.
Nor can I tell (and this new Tears doth breed)
In what strange path my Lord's fair footsteps bleed.
O knew I where he wander'd, I should see
Some solace in my sorrow's certainty;
I'd send my woes in words should weep for me.
(Who knows how powrful well-writ pray'rs would be)
Sending's too slow a word, my self would fly:
Who knows my own heart's woes so well as I?
But how shall I steal hence? Alexis thou,
Ah thou thy self, alas, has taught me how.
Love too, that leads thee, would lend thee the wings
To bear me harmless through the hardest things:
And where Love lends the wing, and leads the way,
What dangers can there be dare say me nay?
If I be shipwrack•…•…t, Love shall teach to swim;
If drown'd, sweet is the death indur'd for him;