Earl of Rochester.

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An Epistle from Ephelia to Bajazet, com-plaining of his Inconstancy.

H OW far are they deceiv’d, who hope in vainA lasting Lease of Joys from Love t’obrain ?

All the dear Sweets we’re promis’d or expect,

After Enjoyment turn to cold Neglect.

Could Love a constant Happiness have known,

That mighty Wonder had in ine been ihown;

Our Passions were so favoured by Fate,

As if she meant ’em an eternal Date;

So kind he look’d, such tender Words he spoke,

’Twas past Belief such Vows should e’er be broke:

Fix’d on my Eyes, how often would he fay.

He could with Pleasure gaze an Age away.WhenThoughtstoo great for Words had made him mute,In Kisses he would tell my Hand his Suit:

So strong his Passion was, so far aboveThe common Gallantries that pass for Love:

At worst, I thought, if he unkind stiould prove,

His ebbing Passion would be kinder farThan the first Transports of all others are:

Nor was my Love or Fondness less than his;

In him I center’d all my Hopes of Bliss ;

For him my Duty to my Friends forgot,

For him I lost, alas f What lost I not?

Fame, all the valuable Things of Life,

To meet his Love by a less Name than Wife;

How