XLVIII.
“By her I was as much beloved, or more;
“Nor did Alcina now for other care;
“She left her every lover; for before,
“Others, in truth, the fairy’s love did share:
“I was her close adviser evermore;
“And served by her, where they commanded were.
“With me she counselled, and to me referred;
“Nor, night nor day, to other spake a word.
XLIX.
“Why touch my wounds, to aggravate my ill,
“And that, alas! without the hope of cure?
“Why thus the good possessed remember still,
“Amid the cruel penance I endure?
“When kindest I believed Alcina’s will,
“And fondly deemed my happiness secure,
“From me the heart she gave, the fay withdrew,
“And yielded all her soul to love more new.
L.
“Late I discerned her light and fickle bent,
“Still loving and unloving at a heat:
“Two months, I reigned not more, no sooner spent,
“Than a new paramour assumed my seat;
“And me, with scorn, she doomed to banishment,
“From her fair grace cast out. ’Tis then I weet
“I share a thousand lovers’ fate, whom she
“Had to like pass reduced, all wrongfully.
