So may no frost, when early buds appear, 111 This when the various god had urged in vain, He straight assumed his native form again; Such, and so bright an aspect now he bears, As when through clouds the emerging sun appears, And thence, exerting his refulgent ray, Dispels the darkness, and reveals the day. Force he prepared, but check'd the rash design; For when, appearing in a form divine, The nymph surveys him, and beholds the grace Of charming features and a youthful face; In her soft breast consenting passions move, And the warm maid confess'd a mutual love. 121 JANUARY AND MAY: OR, THE MERCHANT'S TALE.* FROM CHAUCER. THERE lived in Lombardy, as authors write, Yet, led astray by Venus' soft delights, He scarce could rule some idle appetites : 10 But in due time, when sixty years were o'er, He vow'd to lead this vicious life no more: Whether pure holiness inspired his mind, Or dotage turn'd his brain, is hard to find; But his high courage prick'd him forth to wed, And try the pleasures of a lawful bed. This was his nightly dream, his daily care, And to the heavenly powers his constant prayer; Once, ere he died, to taste the blissful life Of a kind husband and a loving wife. These thoughts he fortified with reasons still, (For none want reasons to confirm their will.) 20 Grave authors say, and witty poets sing, That honest wedlock is a glorious thing; *This translation was done at sixteen or seventeen years of age. It was one of the earliest of Pope's published works, appearing in Tonson's Miscellany, Pt. VI. A.D. 1709. But depth of judgment most in him appears, Let sinful bachelors their woes deplore; Full well they merit all they feel, and more : 30 Like birds and beasts promiscuously they join; 40 In bliss all night, and innocence all day : Though fortune change, his constant spouse remains; Augments his joys, or mitigates his pains. But what so pure, which envious tongues will spare! Some wicked wits have libell'd all the fair. A night invasion, and a mid-day devil. Let not the wise these slanderous words regard, 50 60 With mournful looks the blissful scenes survey'd, The Maker saw, took pity, and bestow'd Preserved the Jews, and slew the Assyrian foe: 70 Was sheathed, and Israel lived to bless the Lord. And, charm'd with virtuous joys and sober life, 90 'My friends,' he cried, and cast a mournful look Around the room, and sigh'd before he spoke 'Beneath the weight of threescore years I bend; And, worn with cares, am hastening to my end. How I have lived, alas! you know too well; In worldly follies, which I blush to tell : But gracious Heaven has oped my eyes at last; With due regret I view my vices pass'd; And, as the precept of the Church decrees, Will take a wife, and live in holy ease: But since by counsel all things should be done, And many heads are wiser still than one ;— Choose you for me, who best shall be content When my desire 's approved by your consent. 'One caution yet is needful to be told, To guide your choice; this wife must not be old: There goes a saying, and 'twas shrewdly said, 101 In that cold season Love but treats his guest As subtile clerks by many schools are made, 109 And sink downright to Satan when I die; The righteous end were lost for which I wed; 120 130 'And since I speak of wedlock, let me say, As, thank my stars, in modest truth I may, My limbs are active; still I'm sound at heart, And a new vigour springs in every part. Think not my virtue lost, though time has shed These reverend honours on my hoary head: Thus trees are crown'd with blossoms white as snow, The vital sap then rising from below. Old as I am, my lusty limbs appear |