 | Ximenes |  |
SCENE IV.
Zaigri,alone.
Thou light of Spain!—of a degenerate world!
—The great objection to my acquiescence
In what the cardinal so warmly wishes,
Is, that it might be thought, I changed my faith,
From views unworthy of me; to propitiate
My love; or by a signal obligation,
For ever to secure the regent's favour.
For when I exercised impartial reason,
I own, oh! Mahomet, from thy religion,
That I've been, often, half a renegado!
Thy fragrant, gay, luxuriant paradise,
With all it's glowing charms, it's poignant joys,
To thought unprejudiced, but ill repays
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To souls, whose current flows on great persuits,
Even while they're vested with terrestrial bodies,
Their view of thy anticipated pleasures;
The goblet crowned with roses; nay, the fair-one,
With youth perpetual, with divine attractions,
Meets the fastidious senses. Other objects
Delight these souls; and surely must await them,
In future life;—a fine, resplendent chain
Of pure ideas, beauteous images,
Dependent from high Heaven, to humble earth;
Raising the raptured soul, connecting man,
Mortal, but yet eternal, with his God!
| Ximenes | |