isclose her name.
"For should I press to gain my wish'd desire,
"Without my name, my cause I trust would find
"Successful aid. Let Byblis not be known
"Till certain hopes of bliss her mind shall cheer.
"Yet faded color, leanness, and pale face,
"With constant dripping eye, and rising sobs
"Shew my unhidden grief. Well might these prove
"To thee an index of a wounded heart.
"My constant clasping, numerous fond salutes,
"If e'er thou'st mark'd, thou well might have perceiv'd
"Not sister-like embracings. In my soul
"Though this deep wound I bear; though in my breast
"This fire consuming burns, yet strive I all,
"(Witness, ye gods! my truth) all to suppress,
"And act with wiser conduct: hapless war
"Long have I wag'd 'gainst Cupid's furious rule
"More pressure have I borne, than what a maid
"Could e'er be thought to bear. At length o'ercome,
"And forc'd to yield, thy help I must implore
"With trembling voice: thou only canst preserve,
"Thou only canst the loving nymph destroy.
"With thee the choice remains. No foe thus sues,
"But one by nearest ties to thee conjoin'd,
"Pants to be join'd more nearly; link'd to thee
"With closest bands. Let aged seniors learn
"Our laws, and seek what moral codes permit.
"What is permitted, and what is deny'd,
"Let them enquire, and closely search the laws:
"A bolder love more suits our growing years.
"As yet we know not what the laws allow;
"And judge for all things we free leave enjoy;
"Th' example following of the mighty gods.
"Nor parent stern, nor strict regard for fame,
"Nor timid thoughts should check us; absent all
"Should be each cause of fear. The dear sweet theft
"Beneath fraternal love may be conceal'd;
"With thee in secret converse I may speak,
"Embrace thee, kiss thee in the open crowd;
"How little then remains! Pity, forgive,
"The declaration of this love, ne'er told
"Had raging fire not urg'd it, nor allow
"Upon my tomb this cause of death to stand.--"

Here the fill'd tablet check'd her hand, in vain
Thus writing, at the utmost edge the lines,
But stay'd. Her crime straightway she firmly press'd,
With her carv'd gem, and moisten'd it with tears:
Her tears of utterance robb'd her. Bashful then
She call'd a page, and blandishing in fear
Exclaim'd.--"Thou faithful boy, this billet bear--"
And hesitated long ere more she said,
Ere--"to my brother, bear it."--As s