Page:Pastorals Epistles Odes (1748).djvu/155

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TRANSLATIONS.
141

The THIRD ODE.
On LOVE.

ONE midnight when the bear did stand
A-level with Boötes' hand,
And, with their labour sore oppress'd,
The race of men were lay'd to rest, 4
Then to my doors, at unawares,
Came Love, and tried to force the bars.

Who thus assails my doors, I cry'd?
Who breaks my slumbers? Love reply'd, 8
Open: a child alone is here!
A little child!———you need not fear:
Here through the moonless night I stray,
And, drench'd in rain, have lost my way. 12

Then mov'd to pity by his plight,
Too much in haste my lamp I light,
And open: when a child I see,
A little child, he seem'd to me; 16

Who