XX.

THE LADY DISTRACTED WITH LOVE,

MAD SONG THE FOURTH,

Was originally sung in one of _Tom D'urfey's_ comedies of _Don Quixote_ in 1694 and 1696; and probably composed by himself. In the several stanzas, the author represents his pretty Mad-woman as 1. sullenly mad: 2. mirthfully mad: 3. melancholy mad: 4. fantastically mad: and 5. stark mad. Both this, and Num. XXII. are printed from D'urfey's _Pills to purge Melancholy_, 1719, vol. i.

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From rosie bowers, where sleeps the god of love, Hither ye little wanton cupids fly; Teach me in soft melodious strains to move With tender passion my heart's darling joy: Ah! let the soul of musick tune my voice, 5 To win dear Strephon, who my soul enjoys.

Or, if more influencing Is to be brisk and airy, With a step and a bound, With a frisk from the ground, 10 I'll trip like any fairy.

As once on Ida dancing Were three celestial bodies: With an air, and a face, And a shape, and a grace, 15 I'll charm, like beauty's goddess.

Ah! 'tis in vain! 'tis all, 'tis all in vain! Death and despair must end the fatal pain: Cold, cold despair, disguis'd like snow and rain, Falls on my breast; bleak winds in tempests blow; My veins all shiver, and my fingers glow: 21 My pulse beats a dead march for lost repose, And to a solid lump of ice my poor fond heart is froze.

Or say, ye powers, my peace to crown, Shall I thaw myself, and drown 25 Among the foaming billows? Increasing all with tears I shed, On beds of ooze, and crystal pillows, Lay down, lay down my lovesick head?

No, no, I'll strait run mad, mad, mad, 30 That soon my heart will warm; When once the sense is fled, is fled, Love has no power to charm. Wild thro' the woods I'll fly, I'll fly, Robes, locks----shall thus----be tore! 35 A thousand, thousand times I'll dye Ere thus, thus, in vain,--ere thus in vain adore.