To Celia.

Celia, the faithful servant you disown,
Wou'd in obedience keep his love unknown
But bright Idea's such as you inspire,
We can no more conceal, than not admire;
My heart at home, in my own brest did dwell
Like humble Hermit in a peaceful Cell,
Unknown, and undisturb'd, it rested there,
Stranger alike to hope, and to dispair:
But Loves Tumultuous Train do…s now invade
The sacred quiet of this hollowed shade,
His fatal flame shine out to every eye,
Like blazing Comets in a VVinter Sky.
Fair and severe like Heav'… you injoyn,
Commands that seem… … your own design;
Forbidding what your … us to:
Since if from Heavenly power you will allow,
That all …ur faculty … …lain,
What …re we will, is that the Gods ordain;
But they and y…u, …ights without Limit have.
Over y…ur Creatures, and more yours, your sl…ve:
And I am one, born only to admire,
To humbl… 'ere to hope, scar…e to desire,
A thing whose …liss depends upon your will;
Who cou…d be proud, you'd deign to use him ill,
How can my passion in …it your offence,
That challenges so little recomp…nce▪
Let me but ever love, and ever be
The Example of your power and cruelty;
Since so much s…orn does in your brest reside,
Be more indulgent to its Mother, Pride;
Ki… all y…u strike, and trample on their Craves,
But own the Fates of your neglected slaves:
When in the crowd yours undistinguish'd lyes,
You give away the Triumph of your Eyes:
Permi… me then to glory in my Chains,
My fruitless sighs, and my unpitied pains:
Perhaps obtaining this, you'll think I find
… Mercy then your Anger has…d sig…d,
But Love has carefully contriv'd for me,
The last perfection of Misery▪
For to my State those hopes of Common peace,
Which Death affords to every Wretch, must cease
My worst of Fates attends me in my Grave,
Since, dying, I must be no more your Slave.