My sprightly neighbour! gone before Some summer morning— II2. A Perfect Woman. SHE was a phantom of delight When first she gleamed upon my sight; r; To be a moment's ornament; I saw her upon nearer view, Her household motions light and free, C. LAMB. A countenance in which did meet W. WORDSWORTH. 113. Epitaph on Mrs. Margaret Paston. So fair, so young, so innocent, so sweet, J. DRYDEN. 114. A Song. HIGH state and honours to others impart, That treasure, that treasure alone, I beg for my own. So gentle a love, so fervent a fire That treasure, that treasure alone, I beg for my own. Your love let me crave; Give me in possessing So matchless a blessing; That empire is all I would have. All my ambition; I'll die, I'll die, So give up my game. 115. J. DRYDEN. SWEET Spring, thou turn'st with all thy goodly train, Thy head with flames, thy mantle bright with flowers; The zephyrs curl the green locks of the plain, The clouds for joy in pearls weep down their show'rs. Thou turn'st, sweet youth, but ah! my pleasant hours Do with thee turn, which turn my sweets in sours. But she, whose breath embalmed thy wholesome air, Neglected virtue! seasons go and come, W. DRUMMOND. 116. FROM you have I been absent in the spring, I That heavy Saturn laughed and leaped with him. Of different flowers in odour and in hue, Or from their proud lap pluck them where they grew : Nor praise the deep vermilion in the rose; Yet seemed it winter still; and, you away, 117. A feud of long standing has separated the houses of Montague and Capulet. Representatives of the former and the latter, Romeo and Juliet, have fallen deeply in love with each other. Romeo comes by night to the garden of the Capulets. Rom. But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks? (Juliet appears at a window above.) It is the east, and Juliet is the sun! Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon, Who is already sick and pale with grief, That thou her maid art far more fair than she: I The son of Heaven and Earth, and the father of Jupiter. He is generally represented as an infirm old man. Be not her maid, since she is envious; Her vestal livery is but sick and green, O, that she knew she were!— She speaks, yet she says nothing: what of that? I am too bold; 'tis not to me she speaks: That I might touch that cheek! Ful. Ah me! Rom. She speaks: O, speak again, bright angel! for thou art Unto the white-upturnèd wondering eyes Jul. O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father, and refuse thy name ; Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, And I'll no longer be a Capulet. Rom. (Aside). Shall I hear more, or shall I speak at this? Jul. 'Tis but thy name that is my enemy ;- Without that title. Romeo, doff thy name; Rom. I take thee at thy word: Call me but love, and I'll be new-baptized; Jul. What man art thou, that, thus bescreened in night, So stumblest on my counsel ? Rom. By a name I know not how to tell thee who I am: Had I it written, I would tear the word. Jul. My ears have not yet drunk a hundred words Of that tongue's utterance, yet I know the sound: Art thou not Romeo, and a Montague? Rom. Neither, fair saint, if either thee dislike. Jul. How camest thou hither, tell me, and wherefore? The orchard walls are high and hard to climb, And the place death, considering who thou art, If any of my kinsmen find thee here. Rom. With love's light wings did I o'erperch these walls; For stony limits cannot hold love out; And what love can do that dares love attempt; Therefore thy kinsmen are no let to me. Jul. If they do see thee, they will murder thee. Rom. Alack! there lies more peril in thine eye, Than twenty of their swords: look thou but sweet, And I am proof against their enmity. Jul. I would not for the world they saw thee here. Rom. I have night's cloak to hide me from their sight ; And, but thou love me, let them find me here : My life were better ended by their hate, Than death proroguèd, wanting of thy love. Jul. By whose direction foundest thou out this place? Rom. By love, who first did prompt me to inquire; He lent me counsel, and I lent him eyes. I am no pilot; yet, wert thou as far As that vast shore washed with the farthest sea, I would adventure for such merchandise. Jul. Thou knowest the mask of night is on my face; Else would a maiden blush bepaint my cheek, |