128
THE TRIUMPHS
The first in rank is that distinguish'd train,
Whose strength of soul was tried by Hymen's chain:
Tho' beauty blest their form, and love, their guide,
Their nuptial band with happiest omens tied,
Beauty and love, they felt, may lose the art
To fix inconstant man's eccentric heart;
Yet, conscious of their lord's neglected vow,
No virtue frown'd outrageous on their brow,
To keep returning tenderness aloof,
By coarse upbraiding, and despis'd reproof:
With sorrow smother'd in attraction's smile,
They strove the sense of misery to beguile;
And, from wild passion's perilous abyss,
Lure the lost wanderer back to faithful bliss.
See mild Octavia o'er this band preside,
Voluptuous Antony's neglected bride,
Whose feeling heart, with all a mother's care,
Rear'd the young offspring of a rival fair.
Far other trials rais'd yon lovely crew,
Tho' in connubial scenes their merit grew:
Whose strength of soul was tried by Hymen's chain:
Tho' beauty blest their form, and love, their guide,
Their nuptial band with happiest omens tied,
Beauty and love, they felt, may lose the art
To fix inconstant man's eccentric heart;
Yet, conscious of their lord's neglected vow,
No virtue frown'd outrageous on their brow,
To keep returning tenderness aloof,
By coarse upbraiding, and despis'd reproof:
With sorrow smother'd in attraction's smile,
They strove the sense of misery to beguile;
And, from wild passion's perilous abyss,
Lure the lost wanderer back to faithful bliss.
See mild Octavia o'er this band preside,
Voluptuous Antony's neglected bride,
Whose feeling heart, with all a mother's care,
Rear'd the young offspring of a rival fair.
Far other trials rais'd yon lovely crew,
Tho' in connubial scenes their merit grew:
