In these deep solitudes and awful cells, Where heav'nly-pensive contemplation dwells, And ever-musing melancholy reigns, What means this tumult in a vestal's veins? Why rove my thoughts beyond this last retreat? 5 Why feels my heart its long-forgotten heat? Yet, yet I love!--From Abelard it came,[578] And Eloisa yet must kiss the name.[579] Dear fatal name! rest ever unrevealed, Nor pass these lips in holy silence sealed: 10 Hide it, my heart, within that close disguise, Where, mixed with God's, his loved idea[580] lies: O write it not, my hand--the name appears Already written[581]--wash it out, my tears![582] In vain lost Eloisa weeps and prays, 15 Her heart still dictates, and her hand obeys. Relentless walls! whose darksome round contains[583] Repentant sighs, and voluntary pains: Ye rugged rocks, which holy knees have worn; Ye grots and caverns, shagged with horrid thorn![584] 20 Shrines! where their vigils pale-eyed virgins keep,[585] And pitying saints, whose statues learn to weep![586] Though cold like you, unmoved and silent grown, I have not yet forgot myself to stone.[587] All is not heaven's while Abelard has part;[588] 25 Still rebel nature holds out half my heart; Nor pray'rs nor fasts its stubborn pulse restrain, Nor tears, for ages taught to flow in vain. Soon as thy letters trembling I unclose, That well-known name awakens all my woes.[589] 30 Oh name for ever sad! for ever dear![590] Still breathed in sighs, still ushered with a tear.[591] I tremble too, where'er my own I find, Some dire misfortune follows close behind.[592] Line after line my gushing eyes o'erflow, 35 Led through a sad variety of woe:[593] Now warm in love, now with'ring in my bloom,[594] Lost in a convent's solitary gloom! There stern religion quenched th' unwilling flame, There died the best of passions, love and fame.[595] 40 Yet write, oh write me all, that I may join Griefs to thy griefs, and echo sighs to thine.[596] Nor foes nor fortune take this pow'r away;[597] And is my Abelard less kind than they? Tears still are mine, and those I need not spare; 45 Love but demands what else were shed in pray'r;[598] No happier task these faded eyes pursue; To read and weep is all they now can do.[599] Then share thy pain, allow that sad relief; Ah, more than share it, give me all thy grief.[600] 50 Heav'n first taught letters for some wretch's aid,[601] Some banished lover, or some captive maid; They live, they speak, they breathe what love inspires, Warm from the soul, and faithful to its fires,