Classic Poem

SCENE the last .

LYCIDAS. PARTHENIA. LAURA.

LAURA.

— — — Alexis slain!

LYCIDAS.

Yes. 'Twas I did it. See this crimson stain!
My hands with blood of innocence are dy'd.
O may the Moon her silver beauty hide
In rolling clouds! my soul abhors the light;
Shade, shade the murd'rer in eternal night!

LAURA.

No rival shepherd is before thee laid;
There bled the chastest, the sincerest maid
That ever sigh'd for love. On her pale face,
Cannot thy weeping eyes the feature trace
Of thy once dear Dione ? with wan care
Sunk are those eyes, and livid with despair!

LYCIDAS.

Dione!

LAURA.

— — — There pure Constancy lies dead!

LYCIDAS.

May Heav'n shower vengeance on this perjur'd head!
As the dry branch that withers on the ground,
So, blasted be the hand that gave the wound!
Off; hold me not. This heart deserves the stroke;
'Tis black with treach'ry. Yes: the vows are broke.
Which I so often swore. Vain world, adieu!
Though I was false in life, in death I'm true.

LAURA.

To morrow shall the funeral rites be paid,
And these Love victims in one grave be laid.

PARTHENIA.

There shall the yew her sable branches spread,
And mournful cypress rear her fringed head.

LAURA.

From thence shall thyme and myrtle send perfume,
And laurel ever-green o'ershade the tomb.

PARTHENIA.

Come, Laura ; let us leave this horrid wood,
Where streams the purple grass with lovers blood;
Come to my bower. And as we sorrowing go,
Let poor Dione 's story feed my woe
With heart-relieving tears. — —

LAURA,

— — — Unhappy maid,
Hadst thou a Parent's just command obey'd,
Thou yet had'st liv'd. — But who shall Love advise?
Love scorns command, and breaks all other tyes.
Henceforth, ye swains, be true to vows profest;
For certain vengeance strikes the perjur'd breast.