XVIII.
“Can it be true?”—(she cried)—“Shall I be fain
“To follow one, that strives to hide and fly?
“Esteem a man that has me in disdain?
“Pray him that never hears my suppliant cry?
“Suffer who hates me o’er my heart to reign?
“One that his lofty virtues holds so high,
“’Twere need some heaven-born goddess should descend
“From realms above, his stubborn heart to bend?
XIX.
“Proud youth! he knows my worship and my love,
“Nor me will have for lover or for slave.
“The cruel stripling knows what pangs I prove,
“Yet will not aid me till I am in my grave.
“Nor let me tell my sorrows, lest they move
“Him his perverse and evil will to wave;
“Shunning me like malignant asp, that fears
“To change his mood, if he the charmer hears.
XX.
“Ah! Love, arrest this wight who runs so free,
“Outstripping my slow feet, or me install
“In the condition whence thou tookest me,
“Such as I was, ere thine or other’s thrall.
“—Alas! how vain the hope! that thou shouldst be
“Ever to pity moved by suppliant call,
“Who sport, yea feed and live, in streams that rise
“From the distracted lover’s brimming eyes.
