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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 | The poetical and dramatic works of Sir Charles Sedley |  |
16
XVI
TO CELIA
Princes make Laws, by which their Subjects live,
And the high Gods Rules for the Worship give;
How should poor Mortals else a Service find
At all proportion'd to their heavenly Mind?
Had it been left to us, each one would bring,
Of what he lik'd himself, an Offering;
And with unwelcome Zeal perhaps displease
Th' offended Deity he would appease.
All Powers but thine, this Mercy did allow,
And how they wou'd be serv'd, themselves do shew.
A rude Barbarian wou'd his captiv'd Foe
Fully instruct in what he'd have him do:
And can it be, my Celia, that Love,
Less kind than War shou'd to the vanquish'd prove?
Say, cruel Fair, must then my Heart, a Flame,
Use for a while Friendship's Disguise and Name?
Or may it boldly like it self appear,
And its own Tale deliver to thy Ear?
Or must it in my tortur'd Bosom live,
Like Fire in unmov'd Flints, and no Light give,
And only then humbly send forth a small
Spark, when your self does on that Subject fall?
My Passion can with any Laws comply,
And, for your sake, do any thing, but die.
| The poetical and dramatic works of Sir Charles Sedley | |