Book IV - Such were his Looks, so gracefully he spoke

Such were his Looks, so gracefully he spoke,

That were I not resolv'd against the Yoke

Of hapless Marriage; never to be curs'd

With second Love, so fatal was my first;

To this one Error I might yield again:

For since Sichæus was untimely slain,

This only Man, is able to subvert

The fix'd Foundations of my stubborn Heart.

And to confess my Frailty, to my shame,

Somewhat I find within, is not the same,

Too like the Sparkles of my former flame.

But first let yawning Earth a Passage rend;

And let me through the dark Abyss descend;

First let avenging Jove, with Flames from high,

Drive down this Body, to the neather Sky,

Condemn'd with Ghosts in endless Night to lye,

Before I break the plighted Faith I gave;

No; he who had my Vows, shall ever have;

For whom I lov'd on Earth, I worship in the Grave.

(v21 - v39)