"This visage tells thee that my doom is past: Nor should the change be mourned, even if the joys[5] Of sense were able to return as fast And surely as they vanish. Earth destroys 70 Those raptures duly--Erebus disdains: Calm pleasures there abide--majestic pains. "Be taught, O faithful Consort, to control Rebellious passion: for the Gods approve The depth, and not the tumult, of the soul; 75 A fervent, not ungovernable, love.[6] Thy transports moderate; and meekly mourn When I depart, for brief is my sojourn--" "Ah, wherefore?--Did not Hercules by force Wrest from the guardian Monster of the tomb 80 Alcestis, a reanimated corse, Given back to dwell on earth in vernal bloom?[7] Medea's spells dispersed the weight of years, And Æson stood a youth 'mid youthful peers. "The Gods to us are merciful--and they 85 Yet further may relent: for mightier far Than strength of nerve and sinew, or the sway Of magic potent over sun and star, Is love, though oft to agony distrest, 89 And though his favourite seat be feeble woman's breast. "But if thou goest, I follow--" "Peace!" he said,-- She looked upon him and was calmed and cheered; The ghastly colour from his lips had fled; In his deportment, shape, and mien, appeared Elysian beauty, melancholy grace, 95 Brought from a pensive though a happy place. He spake of love, such love as Spirits feel In worlds whose course is equable and pure; No fears to beat away--no strife to heal-- The past unsighed for, and the future sure; 100 Spake of heroic arts in graver mood Revived, with finer harmony pursued;[8] Of all that is most beauteous--imaged there In happier beauty; more pellucid streams, An ampler ether, a diviner air, 105 And fields invested with purpureal gleams; Climes which the sun, who sheds the brightest day Earth knows, is all unworthy to survey. Yet there the Soul shall enter which hath earned That privilege by virtue.--"Ill," said he, 110 "The end of man's existence I discerned, Who from ignoble games and revelry Could draw, when we had parted, vain delight, While tears were thy best pastime, day and night; "And while my youthful peers before my eyes 115 (Each hero following his peculiar bent) Prepared themselves for glorious enterprise By martial sports,--or, seated in the tent, Chieftains and kings in council were detained; What time the fleet at Aulis lay enchained.[A] 120