_Fontenelle, Historie des Oracles._
_Still true
To one dear theme, my full soul flowing o'er
Would find no room for thought of what it knew
(5) Nor picturing forfeit transport curse me more._
Si l'homme (says a modern writer) constant dans ses affections,
pouvoit saus cesse fournir a un sentiment renouvele sans cesse, sans
doute la solitude and l'amour l'egaleroient a Dieu meme; car ce sont
la les deux eternel plaisirs du gran Etre.
A celebrated female, (Saint Theresa) used to describe Satan as an
unhappy being, who never could know what it was to love.
(6) _And o'er her sense as when the fond night bird
Woos the full rose o'erpowering fragrance stole._
This allusion must be familiar to every general reader of poetry.
"The nightingale if he sees the rose becomes intoxicated; he lets
go from his hand the reins prudence."
_Fable of the Gardener and Nightingale._
Lady Montague also translates a song, if my memory does not deceive
me, thus,
"The nightingale now hovers amid the flowers, her passion is to
seek roses."
And from the poet Hafiz,
"When the roses wither and the bower loses its sweetness, you have
no longer the tale of the nightingale.
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