He views not Flora with her Pompey's eyes, To please, for him, these faded charms repair; Oh! 'tis illufion all! and idle rage e! } 00000000000000000 ARISBE to MARIUS Junior. From FONTENELLE. By the Same. When Marius was expelled from Rome by Sylla's faction, and retired into Africa, his fon (who accompany'd him) fell into the hands of Hiempfal king of Numidia, who kept him prifoner. One of the mistresses of that king fell in love with Marius junior, and was fo generous to contrive and give him his liberty, tho' by that means fhe facrificed her love for ever. 'Twas after he had rejoin'd his father, that he writ him the following letter. O That I. F all I valued, all I lov'd bereft, Say, has my heart this little comfort left? And think with grateful pity on my pain? II. Tho' but with life my forrows can have end, (For death alone can join me to my friend) Yet think not I repent I fet you free, I mourn your absence, not your liberty. II. Before my Marius left Numidia's coaft, Each day I saw him; scarce an hour was loft: Now months and years must pafs, nay life shall prove But one long abfence from the man I love. IV. Painful IV. Painful reflection! poyson to my mind! V. Would't thou believe it? to those walls I fly VI. The live-long day I mourn, I loath the light, VII. That coz'ner hope intrudes not on my woe; Bring back my charming fugitive again. VIII. Yet there's a grief furpaffing all the reft; IX. Then IX. Then I reflect (ah! would I could forget!) Too strong thy reafon, but too weak thy love. X. Thy fword, 'tis true, a father's caufe demands; XI. But what avail these thoughts? fond wretch, give o'er! Since Fate has caft the lot, and we must part, XII. Yes: let me cherish that remembrance ftill; XIII. Deceitful comfort! let me not perfuade XIV. Perhaps ev'n you what most I wish oppofe, To bear th' inglorious weight of foreign chains. Can any XV. climate then fo barb'rous prove, To ftand excluded from the laws of Love? His empire's univerfal, unconfin'd, His proxy beauty, and his flaves mankind. XVI. Nor am I a Numidian but by name, For I can int'reft for my love disclaim : My virtue shows what 'twas the gods defign'd, By chance on Africk's clay they ftamp'd a Roman mind. XVII. Not all the heroes which your Rome can boast, So much for fame, as I for have loft: you Yourself I loft: oh! grateful, then confefs, XVIII. Yes, partial gods! inflicters of my care! XIX. Whilf |