To lend a wife, few here would fcruple make, But pray which of you all would take her back? That Edward's Mifs thus perks it in your face, Faith, let the modeft matrons of the town Come here in crowds, and ftare the ftrumpet down.. A The ARGUMENT. Belard and Eloifa flourish'd in the twelfth Cen tury; they were two of the most diftinguish'd perfons of their age in learning and beauty, but for nothing more famous than for their unfortunate paffion. After a long courfe of calamities, they retired each to a feveral convent, and confecrated the remainder of their days to religion. It was many years after this feparation, that a letter of Abelard's to a friend which contain'd the hiftory of his misfortunes, fell into the hands of Eloifa. This awakening all her tenderness, occafion'd thofe celebrated letters (out of which the fol lowing is partly extracted) which give fo lively a picture of the struggles of grace and nature, virtue and paffion.. ELOISA ELOISA ΤΟ ABELARD. N thefe deep folitudes and awful cells, I Where heav'nly-penfive, contemplation dwells, And ever-mufing melancholy reigns; What means this tumult in a veftal's veins ? And Elifa yet muft kifs the name. Dear fatal name! reft ever unreveal'd, Nor pafs thefe lips in holy filence feal'd. |