Wasting at once his life, and his estate. His friends beheld, and pitied him in vain, For what advice can ease a lover's pain! Absence, the best expedient they could find, Might save the fortune, if not cure the mind: This means they long proposed, but little gained, Yet after much pursuit, at length obtained. Hard you may think it was to give consent, But, struggling with his own desires, he went; With large expence, and with a pompous train, } Provided as to visit France or Spain, } Or for some distant voyage o'er the main. } But love had clipped his wings, and cut him short, Confined within the purlieus of his court. Three miles he went, nor farther could retreat; His travels ended at his country-seat: To Chassis' pleasing plains he took his way, There pitched his tents, and there resolved to stay. The spring was in the prime; the neighbouring grove Supplied by birds, the choristers of love; Music unbought, that ministered delight To morning walks, and lulled his cares by night: There he discharged his friends; but not the expence Of frequent treats, and proud magnificence. He lived as kings retire, though more at large From public business, yet with equal charge; With house and heart still open to receive; As well content as love would give him leave: He would have lived more free; but many a guest, Who could forsake the friend, pursued the feast. It happ'd one morning, as his fancy led, Before his usual hour he left his bed, To walk within a lonely lawn, that stood On every side surrounded by the wood: Alone he walked, to please his pensive mind, And sought the deepest solitude to find: 'Twas in a grove of spreading pines he strayed; } The winds within the quivering branches played, } And dancing trees a mournful music made. } The place itself was suiting to his care, Uncouth and savage, as the cruel fair. He wandered on, unknowing where he went, Lost in the wood, and all on love intent: The day already half his race had run, } And summoned him to due repast at noon, } But love could feel no hunger but his own. } While listening to the murmuring leaves he stood, More than a mile immersed within the wood, At once the wind was laid; the whispering sound Was dumb; a rising earthquake rocked the ground; With deeper brown the grove was overspread, } A sudden horror seized his giddy head, } And his ears tinkled, and his colour fled. } Nature was in alarm; some danger nigh Seemed threatened, though unseen to mortal eye. Unused to fear, he summoned all his soul, And stood collected in himself, and whole: Not long; for soon a whirlwind rose around, And from afar he heard a screaming sound, As of a dame distressed, who cried for aid, And filled with loud laments the secret shade. A thicket close beside the grove there stood,