Eloisa to Abelard

“Oh name forever sad! forever dear! Still breathed in sighs, still ushered with a tear.”

“Now warm in love, now with'ring in my bloom, Lost in a convent's solitary gloom!”

“Heaven first taught letters for some wretch's aid, And waft a sigh from Indus to the Pole.”

“How oft, when press'd to marriage, have I said, Spreads his light wings, and in a moment flies.”

“Let wealth, let honour, wait the wedded dame, Fame, wealth, and honour! what are you to Love?”

“No, make me mistress to the man I love; More fond than mistress, make me that to thee!”

“Not grace, or zeal, love only was my call, And if I lose thy love, I lose my all.”

“Fill my fond heart with God alone, for he Alone can rival, can succeed to thee.”

“How happy is the blameless vestal's lot! Each pray'r accepted, and each wish resign'd...”

“One thought of thee puts all the pomp to flight, Priests, tapers, temples, swim before my sight.”

“See my lips tremble and my eyeballs roll, Suck my last breath, and catch my flying soul.”

“Condemn'd whole years in absence to deplore, He best can paint them, who shall feel them most.”