Page:The Amyntas of Tasso (1770) - Percival Stockdale.djvu/123

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AMYNTAS.
91
Without their necessary animation,
It loses all it's spirit, it grows dead.
Sylvia in thought thou dreadest to offend;
And yet, thou torpid lover, thou wouldst have
Certain anticipation of success;
Which, if she knew thou hadst, it would, most justly,
Against thee raise her keenest indignation.
Consider, though futurity is doubtful,
Yet thou mayst prosper in thy enterprize:
If then thou mayst, go boldly, and atchieve it.
For thy success is hazarded as much
By dull inaction as by brave attempt.
And if, all thy endeavours nought availing
To soften Sylvia's heart, thou needs must die;
Adorn thy death by some adventurous deed;
So shall the swains revere thy memory:
Timorous, or brave in love, thou canst but die;
Die bravely then; if thou embracest death
(And voluntary death bespeaks a mind
Of vigorous tone, and fit for great resolves)

Let