University of Virginia Library

A Dream.

Tell me, thou pale-fac'd Empress of the Night,
What horrid terror did my mind affright.
I saw, and in a Dream a Damsel stood
Before me trembling, all besmear'd with Blood.
In her right Hand a wither'd Branch she had,
And with a sable Veil her Brows were clad;
And to her self she mourning seem'd to say,
'Twas love, alas! fond Girl, did thee betray.
And so she vanish'd. Then I heard a cry.
Of a lost Damsel, at the point to die.
Her latest Breath did on Narcissus call,
Cruel Narcissus, cruel in my fall.
For thee I did honour and life forsake,
And gave thee Love, which thou refus'd to take;
For thee I did Philanders Love despise,
Who now may glory at my injuries.
Her other words she did in Tears confound,
Abruptly mangled in a dying sound.
With that I shrunk, and sudain terror prest
My melting Heart in my molested Breast;
I ponder'd in my mind, at length I knew
The voice was Phillis, that her self had slew;
And art thou dead, said I, false unto me?
His hate's a just reward of Perjury.
But O that yet my life cou'd thine redeem,
My Soul shou'd vanish as of no esteem:
O cruelty! what made thee so unkind,
To kill the Joy, and Darling of Mankind?
And since thy Death by Pen can't be exprest,
I'le write thy Elegie upon my Breast.
But snatching at my Sword, a Hand was sent,
My suden Execution to prevent;
And Phillis, who before I thought was dead,
Appear'd, and with a Garland Crown'd my Head,
And told me death had not the power to sever
Two Hands, two Hearts, that must be joyn'd for ever.
Then waking suddenly, I knew the Theam
Was my molested fancy in a Dream.
Even when I wake or sleep thou'rt in my mind,
Unconstant Phillis, cruel, and unkind.