Alexander Pope

Eloisa to Abelard

Thou know'st how guiltless first I met thy flame,

When Love approach'd me under Friendship’s name;

My fancy form'd thee of angelic kind,

Some emanations of th' all-beauteous Mind.

Those smiling eyes, attemp'ring every ray,

Shone sweetly lambent with celestial day.

Guiltless I gaz'd; Heav'n listen'd while you sung;

And truths divine came mended from that tongue,

From lip like those what precepts fail'd to move?

Too soon they taught me 'twas no sin to love:

Back through the paths of pleasing sense I ran,

Nor wish'd an angel whom I lov'd a man.

Dim and remote the joys of saints I see,

Nor envy them that heav'n I lose for thee.