University of Virginia Library

If, Wretch, a Rule thou wouldst prescribe thy Hates,
Thy rash Love imitate; Tamely (ye Fates!)
And unreveng'd shall we these Nuptials bear?
Shall this Day idly pass? sought with such Care
And Toil! with so much Difficulty gain'd!
Whilst self-poiz'd Earth in midst of Heav'n's sustain'd,
And the bright Orbs their stated Changes run,
Whilst Sands no Number know; whilst Day the Sun,
And Night the Stars attend; whilst 'bout the Pole
The undrench'd Arctos turns, and Rivers roll
Into the Main; our deadly vengeful Spite
Shall ne'er grow less, but rise t'a greater height.
What wild Beasts Salvageness? What chased Waves
Ingulf'd in Scylla's and Charybdis Caves?
What Ætna, (under which Typhæus Iies,
Expiring Flames) our Rage shall equalize?
Nor rapid Streams, nor Torrents heady course,
Nor wrathful Euxine Seas, by Corus Force
Vext into Storms, nor Flames blown up by Wind
Can stop th'incensed Fury of my Mind.
I'll down with all.—Creon his Fears did move
(Forsooth) and King Acastus Arms;—“True Love
“Can never stoop to fear of any?—But,
O'erpower'd he was inforc'd to yield:—Could not
He yet to his poor Wife have bid adieu!
My Life! stout tho he be, he fear'd this too.
Yet sure, being Creon's Son, he might a while
Have respited the Time of our Exile.
But one short Day, to take my last farewel
Of both my Children!—Yet, tho short, 'tis well.
Much, much shall these few Hours produce; that Fact
Which all Days else shall ring of, this shall act.
We will invade the Gods, and shake the Frame
Of the whole Universe.