SOPHENE AND SOPHOCLES. 139 



yourself, and endeavour to rest." So saying, he would have quitted 

 me ; but I held him. I laid before him an exact account of the wrath 

 of Love, of his threats, and of his triumph. " Sophene," continued I, 

 " has preserved my life ; how much ought I to be bound to her for it ! 

 Sophene has rendered me tender and sensible, and she will ever be 

 the object of my affection. Love has no arrows left ; he can no more 

 wound me for any other;'' "at least," replied Imlacca, " you are 

 where I wished you to be; you love and your passion is dear to 

 you ; it engrosses your whole mind ; you speak of nothing else. 

 Sleep is now heavy upon my eyes farewell." He went away; I 

 found myself alone again, and again I sunk into my fantastical con- 

 ceits. Insensibly a calm succeeded to my agitation ; a sweet tempe- 

 rature glided through my senses I fell asleep. Love ! sleep re- 

 spects thy power; obedient dreams put on all the forms thou art 

 pleased to give them; they turn them into reality in the fancy of such 

 as thou sendest them to. Fair Sophene ! you look down, you are 

 silent; what do I see? Methinks you shun me; stay I am no 

 longer that stubborn lover unable to appreciate the value of your 

 kindness, who durst not look at you, who avoided your charms. I 

 am in earnest nay a passionate lover; enjoy a change that you 

 alone coukUeffectuate. What are you afraid of? My constancy shall 

 justify the ardour of my desires. I took her hand; I kissed it a 

 thousand times; I pressed it in mine. All the " fire" in my heart 

 came up to my lips ; they burned, and I imprinted them on hers ; 

 she resisted, and strove to make her escape ; Love held her; he re- 

 moved her fears, and increased my temerity. Our sighs mingled. 

 Her eyes were filled with a seducing languor; she was troubled; her 

 mind wavered. A set of officious loves with their arrows frightened 

 away timid Modesty, who fled with downcast looks. Love ! why do 

 you lay your hand before my mouth? Fear not, I am discreet. 

 Sophene, you weep ; your spirits revive, your anger alarms me. 

 Can my transports offend her who has caused, and who seems to 

 authorise them ? " Dear Sophocles, temper their eagerness," said 

 she ; " spare my weakness. We ought to respect what we love. 

 If you love me, my tears should restrain you ; if you do riot, you are 

 too cruel to urge me so far." I was afraid of displeasing her, and 

 ashamed to submit; yet I did not dare snatch a victory I had so 

 eagerly pursued: but my eyes grow dim I look for Sophene I find 

 her not ! both my voice and strength forsake me. Unknown emo- 

 tions work within me. My heart pants ; I wake shivering. Ye gods ! 

 if a dream has such " powerful charms," what then must be the 

 ecstacy of real pleasures ? Come again, delicious illusions ! I call 

 for youSn vain ; Morpheus is gone away I can neither leave my 

 couch, nor fall asleep again. I now sunk into an ocean of confused 

 ideas, which I am unwilling to unravel ; and I called to my mind all 

 the particulars of my dream. 



To remember an imaginary felicity is to exchange one chimera 

 for another. 



