The poetical and dramatic works of Sir Charles Sedley Collected and Edited from the Old Editions: With a preface on the text, explanatory and textual notes, an appendix containing works of doubtful authenticity, and a bibliography: By V. de Sola Pinto |
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| CXXXVI. | CXXXVI
VENUS AND ADONIS: OR THE AMOUR OF VENUS |
 | The poetical and dramatic works of Sir Charles Sedley |  |
CXXXVI
VENUS AND ADONIS: OR THE AMOUR OF VENUS
Omnia vincit Amor ------
Virgil.
Virgil.
In Ida's Grove a secret Place there lies,
That seems secure from Man's and Heav'n's Eyes:
No raging Heat but Love's cou'd this invade
Ever protected by a grateful Shade
With rising Grass the plenteous Earth is Spread,
And various Flowers form a fragrant Bed:
Close by a softly-stealing Stream complains,
As if it self endur'd a Lover's Pains.
Around the Turtles, gently moaning seem,
And mix their Murmurs with the purling Stream.
Venus distress'd in Pallaces above,
Found no Content while absent from her Love;
The Residence of Gods cou'd yield no Joy,
Without the Presence of the lov'ly Boy:
She therefore left Heav'n's Courts (oppress'd with Cares,)
And to this humble, quiet Seat repairs.
Here now she seeks (her Comfort and Delight,)
The Youth, who must each soft Regard requite;
But ah! No Youth appears to bless her Sight.
The appointed Time was pass'd, th' exalted Sun
To th' utmost Summit of his Course was run;
Yet still Adonis, with an eager Pace,
Thoughtless of Heat, or Rest, pursues the Chace;
Thoughtless of Danger, or her kind Embrace.
But She (in whom nothing can Love controul
Love! The sole Joy and Essence of her Soul,)
Full of Desire, cannot her self contain,
But thence as Winds sweep o'er the stormy Main,
She swiftly springs . . . stops ev'ry Nymph and Swain,
Some Tidings of the ling'ring Boy to know,
And where, and how employ'd, and why so slow?
That seems secure from Man's and Heav'n's Eyes:
No raging Heat but Love's cou'd this invade
Ever protected by a grateful Shade
With rising Grass the plenteous Earth is Spread,
And various Flowers form a fragrant Bed:
Close by a softly-stealing Stream complains,
As if it self endur'd a Lover's Pains.
Around the Turtles, gently moaning seem,
And mix their Murmurs with the purling Stream.
Venus distress'd in Pallaces above,
Found no Content while absent from her Love;
The Residence of Gods cou'd yield no Joy,
Without the Presence of the lov'ly Boy:
She therefore left Heav'n's Courts (oppress'd with Cares,)
And to this humble, quiet Seat repairs.
Here now she seeks (her Comfort and Delight,)
The Youth, who must each soft Regard requite;
But ah! No Youth appears to bless her Sight.
199
To th' utmost Summit of his Course was run;
Yet still Adonis, with an eager Pace,
Thoughtless of Heat, or Rest, pursues the Chace;
Thoughtless of Danger, or her kind Embrace.
But She (in whom nothing can Love controul
Love! The sole Joy and Essence of her Soul,)
Full of Desire, cannot her self contain,
But thence as Winds sweep o'er the stormy Main,
She swiftly springs . . . stops ev'ry Nymph and Swain,
Some Tidings of the ling'ring Boy to know,
And where, and how employ'd, and why so slow?
Her Voice and Eyes, and eager Steps proclaim
The fierce Impatience of the heav'nly Dame.
So flies the wounded Deer along the Plains,
Seeking Redress . . . while of its cruel Pains,
The fatal Cause fixt in it's Side remains.
The fierce Impatience of the heav'nly Dame.
So flies the wounded Deer along the Plains,
Seeking Redress . . . while of its cruel Pains,
The fatal Cause fixt in it's Side remains.
To ev'ry Hill that a far Prospect makes
Thro' pathless Ways, a desp'rate Flight she takes,
In frantick Mode, her loose dishevell'd Hair,
Toss'd by the Winds, her Limbs expos'd and bare,
Careless of Beauties that so meanly charm,
And heedless in his Cause of ev'ry Harm.
Thro' pathless Ways, a desp'rate Flight she takes,
In frantick Mode, her loose dishevell'd Hair,
Toss'd by the Winds, her Limbs expos'd and bare,
Careless of Beauties that so meanly charm,
And heedless in his Cause of ev'ry Harm.
Much Pains th' impatient Goddess dos' imploy
In fruitless Search of the neglectful Boy.
Weary'd at length with Toil, and faint with Heat,
Repairs again to her cool shady Seat,
Hoping in Sleep's inviting Arms to find
A Solace, to relieve her harrass'd Mind,
And faint Idea of that Bliss to gain,
For which, she waking fought so much in vain.
In fruitless Search of the neglectful Boy.
Weary'd at length with Toil, and faint with Heat,
Repairs again to her cool shady Seat,
Hoping in Sleep's inviting Arms to find
A Solace, to relieve her harrass'd Mind,
And faint Idea of that Bliss to gain,
For which, she waking fought so much in vain.
Now, now to needful Rest she's softly lay'd
In the Recess of the most secret Shade,
The ravish'd Earth, it's grassy Carpet spreads,
And new sprung Flowers nod their fragrant Heads.
Twine round her Limbs, and grateful Odours give;
But far more grateful Odours thence receive.
The Breezes ev'ry part with Kisses greet,
And by those Kisses make their Breaths more sweet;
The Trees in circling Crouds behold the Sight,
And shake their leafy Limbs, and tremble with Delight.
In the Recess of the most secret Shade,
The ravish'd Earth, it's grassy Carpet spreads,
And new sprung Flowers nod their fragrant Heads.
Twine round her Limbs, and grateful Odours give;
But far more grateful Odours thence receive.
The Breezes ev'ry part with Kisses greet,
And by those Kisses make their Breaths more sweet;
The Trees in circling Crouds behold the Sight,
And shake their leafy Limbs, and tremble with Delight.
The curling River in a vast Amaze,
Restrains his murmuring Flood, and stops to gaze;
Transported, views the Grace of ev'ry Limb,
And grasps its dear Resemblance in his Stream.
Each am'rous Turtle far more am'rous grows,
And in tumultuous Moans its Passions shows[.]
Her heavenly Charms all but Adonis fire,
Whole Nature sees with Wonder and Desire!
Restrains his murmuring Flood, and stops to gaze;
Transported, views the Grace of ev'ry Limb,
And grasps its dear Resemblance in his Stream.
Each am'rous Turtle far more am'rous grows,
And in tumultuous Moans its Passions shows[.]
200
Whole Nature sees with Wonder and Desire!
The little Love's in silent, solemn State,
With due Obedience on the Goddess wait,
Part guard, Her sleeping with the strictest Care,
The Rest to seek the Darling Youth prepare.
With due Obedience on the Goddess wait,
Part guard, Her sleeping with the strictest Care,
The Rest to seek the Darling Youth prepare.
Thus Venus do's her ardent Mind employ
The dear, the beauteous, wild, and wand'ring Boy,
Tho' shy t' embrace, tho' careless yet t' enjoy:
At least some fancy'd Blessing to procure
From Hind'rance, and from Interruption sure.
But ah! No cautious Dealing can delude
Close Envy, nor her jealous Sight exclude:
For whom shou'd simple Love securely blind,
Contrive, or act what Envy cannot find?
She slily lurking, this Intrigue do's know,
Disclosing all to Love's severest Foe.
And now th' abstemious Goddess of the Groves,
Cruel Diana, conscious of their Loves,
With Fury burns, and to pursue her Hate,
Had search'd the Volume of eternal Fate;
(For Fate all Actions sways, his Laws confine,
All aims, and curb even the Pow'rs Divine.)
Its brazen Leaves all Mortals Dooms comprize
In Characters of various Hue and Size;
The smaller still each happy Doom express,
Which human Malice (as it can) makes less
A sanguine Dye, and sullen Black unfold
The bad . . . . the Prosp'rous are display'd in Gold,
So deeply writ, that neither Force nor Skill
Can fully raise Them, both the good and ill
Slow Care, Discretion and Advice are by,
And all the bad t' abolish vainly try.
The dear, the beauteous, wild, and wand'ring Boy,
Tho' shy t' embrace, tho' careless yet t' enjoy:
At least some fancy'd Blessing to procure
From Hind'rance, and from Interruption sure.
But ah! No cautious Dealing can delude
Close Envy, nor her jealous Sight exclude:
For whom shou'd simple Love securely blind,
Contrive, or act what Envy cannot find?
She slily lurking, this Intrigue do's know,
Disclosing all to Love's severest Foe.
And now th' abstemious Goddess of the Groves,
Cruel Diana, conscious of their Loves,
With Fury burns, and to pursue her Hate,
Had search'd the Volume of eternal Fate;
(For Fate all Actions sways, his Laws confine,
All aims, and curb even the Pow'rs Divine.)
Its brazen Leaves all Mortals Dooms comprize
In Characters of various Hue and Size;
The smaller still each happy Doom express,
Which human Malice (as it can) makes less
A sanguine Dye, and sullen Black unfold
The bad . . . . the Prosp'rous are display'd in Gold,
So deeply writ, that neither Force nor Skill
Can fully raise Them, both the good and ill
Slow Care, Discretion and Advice are by,
And all the bad t' abolish vainly try.
Here for Adonis's Doom the Goddess pry's
With dire Intent . . . and while her Hands and Eyes,
With dire Intent . . . and while her Hands and Eyes,
With Expedition, yet with Caution move,
She finds the Pages of disastr'ous Love.
There sees his sudden Lot in sanguine Hue,
Engraven deep, the Characters yet new.
And scarcely dry, the woful Deed reveal,
And seem an Image of the Case they tell,
How in small Time assaulting on the Plain
A furious Boar, the Hunter shou'd be slain.
She finds the Pages of disastr'ous Love.
There sees his sudden Lot in sanguine Hue,
Engraven deep, the Characters yet new.
And scarcely dry, the woful Deed reveal,
And seem an Image of the Case they tell,
How in small Time assaulting on the Plain
A furious Boar, the Hunter shou'd be slain.
At this well pleas'd, she smil'd, and cry'd Caress,
Thy Youth, fond Venus! thy Delight possess;
But short's th' allotted Time, and I the Joy
Of that short time shall labour to destroy.
Thy Youth, fond Venus! thy Delight possess;
But short's th' allotted Time, and I the Joy
Of that short time shall labour to destroy.
201
This said, with furious Haste the Path she trod,
(And Mind with Vengeance fraught) to sleep's abode,
There took a Fantom from the drowsy God.
Fram'd like Adonis, in that dismal State,
To which he quickly must be doom'd by Fate.
This Envy had in Keeping to convey
With speed to where expecting Venus lay.
(And Mind with Vengeance fraught) to sleep's abode,
There took a Fantom from the drowsy God.
Fram'd like Adonis, in that dismal State,
To which he quickly must be doom'd by Fate.
This Envy had in Keeping to convey
With speed to where expecting Venus lay.
And now soft Sleep with welcome sweet Surprize
Approaching Venus shuts her radiant Eyes;
Yet ah! full Conquest anxious Thought denies,
By sudden Fits she shakes it from her breast
With fearful sad prophetick Dreams oppress'd.
Approaching Venus shuts her radiant Eyes;
Yet ah! full Conquest anxious Thought denies,
By sudden Fits she shakes it from her breast
With fearful sad prophetick Dreams oppress'd.
No sooner had soft Slumber seiz'd the Dame,
(Ever within her Thoughts) Adonis came,
But how surprizing! How unlike the same?
His Eyes distorted! stupid! gastly! stare,
Pale were his Cheeks, and clotted was his Hair;
His feeble Limbs with Dirt besmeer'd around,
And Blood in Streams flow'd from a direful Wound:
From's Lips Words broken and imperfect, fell,
Some mournful Tale, he stamm'ring, seem to tell,
He sigh'd, and bad eternally Farewel.
(Ever within her Thoughts) Adonis came,
But how surprizing! How unlike the same?
His Eyes distorted! stupid! gastly! stare,
Pale were his Cheeks, and clotted was his Hair;
His feeble Limbs with Dirt besmeer'd around,
And Blood in Streams flow'd from a direful Wound:
From's Lips Words broken and imperfect, fell,
Some mournful Tale, he stamm'ring, seem to tell,
He sigh'd, and bad eternally Farewel.
Th' astonish'd Goddess vast Endeavours made
To grasp the dear, the lovely, dismal Shade:
But all alas! were vainly loss'd in Air,
Waking, she finds no sad Resemblance there.
To grasp the dear, the lovely, dismal Shade:
But all alas! were vainly loss'd in Air,
Waking, she finds no sad Resemblance there.
O'er all the gloomy Grove with Care she pry'd,
But when no true Adonis she descry'd,
Again, t' inviting Sleep her self resign'd;
Again, the gastly Vision haunts her Mind:
Again, with Blood and Dirt obscene appears:
Again, the dismal long Farewel she hears:
But when no true Adonis she descry'd,
Again, t' inviting Sleep her self resign'd;
Again, the gastly Vision haunts her Mind:
Again, with Blood and Dirt obscene appears:
Again, the dismal long Farewel she hears:
Then, rising puts the horrid Dreams to Flight,
And frees her from the dire distracting Sight:
But oh! th' Impression still remains behind,
And with vast Doubts and Fears, torments her Mind.
And frees her from the dire distracting Sight:
But oh! th' Impression still remains behind,
And with vast Doubts and Fears, torments her Mind.
As grievous Cares the Tender Mother seize,
Who from her Arms, and such indulgent Ease,
Her Life's Delight! her Age's Hope! for Gain,
Her only Son! has ventur'd on the Main.
When told by Fame, that on some rocky Coast,
The hapless Youth with all his Wealth is loss'd;
Such now of Venus seems the wretched Case;
Such weighty Grief in her sad Mind takes Place.
Who from her Arms, and such indulgent Ease,
Her Life's Delight! her Age's Hope! for Gain,
Her only Son! has ventur'd on the Main.
When told by Fame, that on some rocky Coast,
The hapless Youth with all his Wealth is loss'd;
Such now of Venus seems the wretched Case;
Such weighty Grief in her sad Mind takes Place.
But now the Loves (by ranging all around,)
The long'd-for and lamented Youth had found;
And by his Side, in close Attendance came,
And introduc'd him to the wishing Dame:
Upon the dear delicious Boy she fly's,
As swift as Lightning flashing from the Skies,
Or as the Glances of her brighter Eyes:
Her circling Arms upon his Neck she flung,
And with fixt Kisses on his Lips she hung.
The long'd-for and lamented Youth had found;
And by his Side, in close Attendance came,
202
Upon the dear delicious Boy she fly's,
As swift as Lightning flashing from the Skies,
Or as the Glances of her brighter Eyes:
Her circling Arms upon his Neck she flung,
And with fixt Kisses on his Lips she hung.
A while the Transport of the present Joys,
All Thought of future, or of pass'd destroys;
But when her Flame (that Grief more raging made)
By softest Dalliance was in Part allay'd,
Reflecting on her Dream, she silence broke,
And sighing thus, the tempting Goddess spoke:
All Thought of future, or of pass'd destroys;
But when her Flame (that Grief more raging made)
By softest Dalliance was in Part allay'd,
Reflecting on her Dream, she silence broke,
And sighing thus, the tempting Goddess spoke:
Forbear, regardless Youth! at length forbear;
Nor prosecute with Beasts an endless War,
Thy Venus do's in all the Danger share.
Or, if, alas! thy too licentious Mind
Is still to vig'rous Sylvan Sports inclin'd,
At least, dear Youth! be cautious in thy Way,
Fly! fly with Care each furious Beast of Prey;
Ne'er arm'd with Launce provoke the raging Boar,
And dread the Lion's most tremendous Roar:
From the rough Bear's rude Grasp, oh! swiftly run,
The Leopard, and the cruel Tyger shun;
With strict Regard, oh! ever such avoid,
Lest all my Joy shou'd be with thee destroy'd:
But Nets, or fleetest Hounds for Deer prepare,
Or chace the crafty Fox, or tim'rous Hare:
Mix Safety ever with thy Sports, be wise,
And ne'er approach where Danger may arise.
Nor prosecute with Beasts an endless War,
Thy Venus do's in all the Danger share.
Or, if, alas! thy too licentious Mind
Is still to vig'rous Sylvan Sports inclin'd,
At least, dear Youth! be cautious in thy Way,
Fly! fly with Care each furious Beast of Prey;
Ne'er arm'd with Launce provoke the raging Boar,
And dread the Lion's most tremendous Roar:
From the rough Bear's rude Grasp, oh! swiftly run,
The Leopard, and the cruel Tyger shun;
With strict Regard, oh! ever such avoid,
Lest all my Joy shou'd be with thee destroy'd:
But Nets, or fleetest Hounds for Deer prepare,
Or chace the crafty Fox, or tim'rous Hare:
Mix Safety ever with thy Sports, be wise,
And ne'er approach where Danger may arise.
For oh! a dismal Dream, portending Ill,
Do's all my Soul with wond'rous Horror fill;
Some mighty Mischief now impending shows,
And seems to threaten with unusual Woes:
What Apprehensions hence my Peace destroy,
And even in thy Presence, blast my Joy?
How will they then, while thou'rt hence surprize,
What countless Store of Jealousies will 'rise?
Oh! what Mistrust? What Terrors will impart
A constant Anguish to my aching Heart?
Be ever careful, and afford me Rest,
For both our sakes, Adonis! this Request:
Let not thy Mind be tempted to refuse,
Nor slight a Goddess, when she humbly sues.
Do's all my Soul with wond'rous Horror fill;
Some mighty Mischief now impending shows,
And seems to threaten with unusual Woes:
What Apprehensions hence my Peace destroy,
And even in thy Presence, blast my Joy?
How will they then, while thou'rt hence surprize,
What countless Store of Jealousies will 'rise?
Oh! what Mistrust? What Terrors will impart
A constant Anguish to my aching Heart?
Be ever careful, and afford me Rest,
For both our sakes, Adonis! this Request:
Let not thy Mind be tempted to refuse,
Nor slight a Goddess, when she humbly sues.
Yet oh! most happy and secure to live,
To Love and Me, all, all thy Moments give.
I not with Juno, covet boundless Reign,
Nor strive with Pallas on the fatal Plain,
Such Triumphs, such dire Victories to gain:
To Love and Me, all, all thy Moments give.
I not with Juno, covet boundless Reign,
Nor strive with Pallas on the fatal Plain,
Such Triumphs, such dire Victories to gain:
203
Nor with Diana to the Chace inclin'd.
Do's thy affected Sport delight my Mind.
I all my Thoughts on Love alone employ,
That yields the truest and sublimest Joy;
Of all Diversions, only this is mine,
And dearest Youth! let it be ever thine;
Let's bid to ev'ry vainer Thing, Adieu,
You only bless'd in Me, and I in You.
Do's thy affected Sport delight my Mind.
I all my Thoughts on Love alone employ,
That yields the truest and sublimest Joy;
Of all Diversions, only this is mine,
And dearest Youth! let it be ever thine;
Let's bid to ev'ry vainer Thing, Adieu,
You only bless'd in Me, and I in You.
Here by increasing soft Concern possess'd,
She ceas'd to speak, and ardently she press'd
His Hand, and Looks, and Kisses plead the rest.
But ah! the Sallies of a roving Mind,
No soft Endearments, or Entreaties bind:
Still in his Thoughts the wild Infection reigns,
He Freedom loves more than Cælestial Chains:
Nor can th' greatest Beauty of the Skies,
With all her Fondness and her Grace suffice;
But as young Striplings from the watchful Eye,
Break wildly forth, and to their Pastimes fly;
Their Friends, and their secure Abodes neglect,
And Counsel, and 'forewarning Care reject:
She ceas'd to speak, and ardently she press'd
His Hand, and Looks, and Kisses plead the rest.
But ah! the Sallies of a roving Mind,
No soft Endearments, or Entreaties bind:
Still in his Thoughts the wild Infection reigns,
He Freedom loves more than Cælestial Chains:
Nor can th' greatest Beauty of the Skies,
With all her Fondness and her Grace suffice;
But as young Striplings from the watchful Eye,
Break wildly forth, and to their Pastimes fly;
Their Friends, and their secure Abodes neglect,
And Counsel, and 'forewarning Care reject:
He vent'rously again the Chace pursues,
And Fearless in the Woods his Haunts renews;
Too soon, alas! forsakes her safer Arms,
Heedless of her Advice, and all her Charms,
Spurns at the Pleasures of his blissful State,
Perversly blind, and rushes on his Fate.
And Fearless in the Woods his Haunts renews;
Too soon, alas! forsakes her safer Arms,
Heedless of her Advice, and all her Charms,
Spurns at the Pleasures of his blissful State,
Perversly blind, and rushes on his Fate.
| The poetical and dramatic works of Sir Charles Sedley | |