Classic Poem

C LEMENA , if you are indeed
The Friend you have profest,
Your Kindness now exert with Speed,
And give me back my Rest.
Late in our gloomy Shade I sat,
Retir'd from all domestick Care,
And tho' as calm as was th' Air,
Yet soon disturb'd like that.
For while I grasp'd my precious Store,
And read your last kind Letters o'er,
The gay Melinda pass'd along,
And cried, Oh where is Friendship gone!
What makes Eliza look so down,
When fair Clemena's come to Town?
Indeed, methinks, she's much your Friend,
So near, and neither come nor send.
Nay, prithee do not turn away,
'Ere you have heard what I can say.
Alas, I much lament your Case,
For haughty Gallia takes your Place;
To Her Clemena gives her Heart,
And leaves you not the smallest Part.

Judge with what Grief I was possest,
How Love and Anger tore my Breast:
Is this, said I, her kind Return,
For all my tender Cares?
Did I for this my Life despise,
And venture it for hers?
Did I for this, such Frowns endure,
Such Hatred to my self procure?
And can she with her Vows Expence,
Now make this cruel Recompence?
But when this Storm was somewhat laid,
I fancied that I was betray'd;
For looking round the Nymph was gone,
And mock'd from far my piteous Moan
'Twas then, you came into my Mind,
So nobly faithful, and so kind:
That I can hardly think it true,
But wait to be resolv'd by you.