Matthew Prior. Dialogues of the Dead and Other Works in Prose and Verse. The Text Edited by A. R. Waller |
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 | Matthew Prior. Dialogues of the Dead and Other Works |  |
THE FORTUNE-TELLER.
To a YOUNG LADY in search of HER DESTINY.
You, Madam, may with safety go,
Decrees of destiny to know.
For at your birth kind planets reign'd,
And certain happiness ordain'd:
Such charms as your's are only given
To chosen favourites of heaven.
Decrees of destiny to know.
For at your birth kind planets reign'd,
And certain happiness ordain'd:
Such charms as your's are only given
To chosen favourites of heaven.
But such is my uncertain state,
'Tis dangerous to try my fate:
For I would only know from art,
The future motions of your heart,
And what predestinated doom
Attends my love for years to come;
No secrets else, that mortals learn,
My care deserve, or life concern;
But this will so important be,
I dread to search the dark decree:
For while the smallest hope remains,
Faint joys are mingled with my pains.
Vain distant views my fancy please,
And give some intermitting ease:
But should the stars too plainly show
That you have doom'd my endless woe,
No human force, nor art, could bear
The torment of my wild despair.
'Tis dangerous to try my fate:
For I would only know from art,
The future motions of your heart,
And what predestinated doom
Attends my love for years to come;
No secrets else, that mortals learn,
My care deserve, or life concern;
But this will so important be,
89
For while the smallest hope remains,
Faint joys are mingled with my pains.
Vain distant views my fancy please,
And give some intermitting ease:
But should the stars too plainly show
That you have doom'd my endless woe,
No human force, nor art, could bear
The torment of my wild despair.
This secret then I dare not know,
And other truths are useless now.
What matters, if unblest in love,
How long or short my life will prove?
To gratify what low desire,
Should I with needless haste enquire,
How great, how wealthy, I shall be?
O! what is wealth or pow'r to me?
If I am happy, or undone,
It must proceed from You alone.
And other truths are useless now.
What matters, if unblest in love,
How long or short my life will prove?
To gratify what low desire,
Should I with needless haste enquire,
How great, how wealthy, I shall be?
O! what is wealth or pow'r to me?
If I am happy, or undone,
It must proceed from You alone.
| Matthew Prior. Dialogues of the Dead and Other Works | |