OF TEMPER.
89
Her mind, forgetful of the magic zone,
Full of the burning shaft by Scandal thrown,
With blended notes of sorrow and disdain,
Thus in disorder'd language vents its pain: —
"Had Malice dar'd my honour to defame,
The self-refuted lie had lost its aim:
But here the world, deceiv'd by sland'rous art,
Must think Serena has a venal heart."
A venal heart! at that detested sound,
In swelling anguish her sunk voice was drown'd.
Now was a fearful crisis of her fate:
Distended now by passion's growing weight,
And for its mistress fill'd with conscious dread,
The magic girdle crack'd thro' every thread,
And snapp'd perchance by Scandal's force accurst,
From her full heart the guardian zone had burst,
And, spite of all the virtues of the fair,
The spell of happiness had sunk in air,
But that Sophrosyne, whose friendly fear
Timely foresaw this trial too severe,
Full of the burning shaft by Scandal thrown,
With blended notes of sorrow and disdain,
Thus in disorder'd language vents its pain: —
"Had Malice dar'd my honour to defame,
The self-refuted lie had lost its aim:
But here the world, deceiv'd by sland'rous art,
Must think Serena has a venal heart."
A venal heart! at that detested sound,
In swelling anguish her sunk voice was drown'd.
Now was a fearful crisis of her fate:
Distended now by passion's growing weight,
And for its mistress fill'd with conscious dread,
The magic girdle crack'd thro' every thread,
And snapp'd perchance by Scandal's force accurst,
From her full heart the guardian zone had burst,
And, spite of all the virtues of the fair,
The spell of happiness had sunk in air,
But that Sophrosyne, whose friendly fear
Timely foresaw this trial too severe,
