Or lull to rest the visionary maid.[656] But o'er the twilight groves[657] and dusky caves, Long-sounding aisles, and intermingled graves, Black Melancholy sits, and round her throws 165 A death-like silence, and a dread repose:[658] Her gloomy presence saddens all the scene, Shades ev'ry flow'r, and darkens ev'ry green,[659] Deepens the murmur of the falling floods, And breathes a browner horror on the woods.[660] 170 Yet here for ever, ever must I stay; Sad proof how well a lover can obey![661] Death, only death, can break the lasting chain; And here, ev'n then, shall my cold dust remain;[662] Here all its frailties, all its flames resign, 175 And wait till 'tis no sin to mix with thine.[663] Ah wretch! believed the spouse of God in vain, Confessed within the slave of love and man. Assist me, heav'n! but whence arose that pray'r? Sprung it from piety, or from despair?[664] 180 Ev'n here, where frozen chastity retires, Love finds an altar for forbidden fires.[665] I ought to grieve, but cannot what I ought; I mourn the lover, not lament the fault;[666] I view my crime, but kindle at the view, 185 Repent old pleasures, and solicit new;[667] Now turned to heav'n, I weep my past offence, Now think of thee, and curse my innocence. Of all affliction taught a lover yet, 'Tis sure the hardest science to forget![668] 190 How shall I lose the sin, yet keep the sense, And love th' offender, yet detest th' offence?[669] How the dear object from the crime remove, Or how distinguish penitence from love?[670] Unequal task! a passion to resign, 195 For hearts so touched, so pierced, so lost as mine. Ere such a soul regains its peaceful state, How often must it love, how often hate![671] How often hope, despair, resent, regret, Conceal, disdain,--do all things but forget. 200 But let heav'n seize it, all at once 'tis fired; Not touched, but rapt; not wakened, but inspired![672] Oh come! oh teach me nature to subdue, Renounce my love, my life, myself--and you.[673] Fill my fond heart with God alone, for he 205 Alone can rival, can succeed to thee.[674] How happy is the blameless vestal's lot! The world forgetting, by the world forgot:[675] Eternal sun-shine of the spotless mind! Each pray'r accepted, and each wish resigned; 210 Labour and rest, that equal periods keep; "Obedient slumbers that can wake and weep;"[676] Desires composed, affections ever even; Tears that delight, and sighs that waft to heav'n. Grace shines around her, with serenest beams, 215 And whisp'ring angels prompt her golden dreams.