Page:Hesperides Vol 2.djvu/283

Speak, what art thou? Euc. One once that had a lover,
Than which thyself ne'er wafted sweeter over.
He was—— Cha. Say what?Euc. Ah me, my woes are deep.
Cha.Prithee relate, while I give ear and weep.
Euc.He was a Hastings; and that one name has
In it all good that is, and ever was.
He was my life, my love, my joy, but died
Some hours before I should have been his bride.
Chorus.Thus, thus the gods celestial still decree,
For human joy contingent misery.
Euc.The hallowed tapers all prepared were,
And Hymen call'd to bless the rites.Cha. Stop there.
Euc. Great are my woes.Cha. And great must that grief be
That makes grim Charon thus to pity thee.
But now come in.Euc. More let me yet relate.
Cha.I cannot stay; more souls for waftage wait
And I must hence.Euc. Yet let me thus much know,
Departing hence, where good and bad souls go?
Cha.Those souls which ne'er were drench'd in pleasure's stream,
The fields of Pluto are reserv'd for them;
Where, dress'd with garlands, there they walk the ground
Whose blessed youth with endless flowers is crown'd.