Urania to Her Friend Parthenissa

In a soft vision of the night,
My Fancy represented to my sight
A goodly gentle shade;
Methought it mov'd with a majestic grace,
But the surprising sweetness of its face
Made me amaz'd, made me afraid:
I found a secret shivering in my heart,
Such as friends feel that meet or part:
Approaching nearer with a timorous eye,
Is then my Parthenissa dead, said I?
Ah Parthenissa! if thou yet are kind,
As kind as when, like me, thou mortal wert,
When thou and I had equal share in either's heart,
How canst thou bear that I am left behind!
Dear Parthenissa! O those pleasant hours,
That blest our innocent amours!
When in the common treasury of one breast,
All that was thine or mine did rest.
Dear Parthenissa!--Friend! what shall I say?
Ah speak to thy Urania!
Oh envious Death! nothing but thee I fear'd,
No other rival could estrange
Her soul from mine or make a change.
Scarce had I spoke my passionate fears,
And overwhelm'd myself in tears:
But Parthenissa smil'd, and then she disappear'd.