Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, VALENTINIAN; A TRAGEDY: ACT 3, SELECTION, by JOHN WILMOT


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VALENTINIAN; A TRAGEDY: ACT 3, SELECTION, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: But see my lady wakes and comes this way
Last Line: No hour of joy in th' absence of my lord.
Alternate Author Name(s): Rochester, 2d Earl Of


Lucina Wakes.
Claudia But see my Lady wakes and comes this way.
Bless me! how pale and how confus'd she looks!
Lucina In what Fantastique new world have I been?
What Horrors past? What threatning Visions seen?
Wrapt as I lay in my amazing Trance,
The Host of Heav'n and Hell did round me Dance:
Debates arose betwixt the Pow'rs above
And those below: Methoughts they talkt of Love.
And nam'd me often; but it could not be
Of any Love that had to do with me.
For all the while they talk'd and argu'd thus,
I never heard one word of Maximus.
Discourteous Nymphs! who own these Murmuring Floods
And you unkind Divinities o'th' Woods!
When to your Banks and Bowers I came distrest
Half dead throu' Absence seeking Peace and Rest.
Why would you not protect by these your Streams
A sleeping wretch from such wild dismal Dreams!
Mishapen Monsters round in Measures went
Horrid in Form with Gestures insolent;
Grinning throu Goatish Beards with half clos'd Eyes,
They look'd me in the face frighted to rise!
In vain I did attempt, methought no Ground
Was to support my sinking Footsteps! found
In clammy Fogs like one half choak'd I lay,
Crying for help my Voyce was snatch'd away.
And when I would have fled,
My Limbs benumm'd, or dead
Could not my Will with Terror wing'd obey.
Upon my Absent Lord for help I cry'd
But in that Moment when I must have dy'd:
With Anguish of my Fears confusing pains
Relenting Sleep loos'd his Tyrannick Chains.
Claud. Madam, Alas such Accidents as these
Are not of value to disturb your Peace!
The cold damp-Dews of Night have mixt and wrought
With the dark Melancholy of your Thought.
And throu' your Fancy these Illusions brought.
I still have markt your Fondness will afford
No hour of Joy in th' absence of my Lord.





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