The Passion of Byblis.
By Stephen Harvey, Esq;
Let the sad Fate of wretched Byblis prove
A dismal Warning to unlawful Love;
One Birth gave Being to the hapless Pair,
But more was Caunus than a Sister's Care;
Unknown she lov'd, for yet the gentle Fire
Rose not in Flames, nor kindled to Desire;
'Twas thought no Sin to wonder at his Charms,
Hang on his Neck, and languish in his Arms;
Thus wing'd with Joy, fled the soft Hours away,
And all the fatal Guilt on harmless Nature lay.
But Love (too soon from Piety declin'd)
Insensibly deprav'd her yielding Mind.
Dress'd she appears, with nicest Art adorn'd,
And ev'ry Youth, but her lov'd Brother, scorn'd;
For him alone she labour'd to be fair,
And curst all Charms that might with hers compare.
'Twas she, and only she, must Caunus please,
Sick at her Heart, yet knew not her Disease:
She call'd him Lord, for Brother was a Name
Too cold, and dull for her aspiring Flame;
And when he spoke, if Sister, he reply'd,
For Byblis change that frozen Word, she cry'd.
Yet waking still she watch'd her strugling Breast,
And Love's Approaches were in vain address'd,
Till gentle Sleep an easy Conquest made,
And in her soft Embrace the Conqueror was laid.
But oh too soon the pleasing Vision fled,
And left her blushing on the conscious Bed:
Ah me! (she cry'd) how monstrous do I seem?
Why these wild thoughts? and this incestuous Dream?
Envy
