Daughter of Jove, relentless power, Thou tamer of the human breast, Whose iron scourge and tort'ring hour The bad affright, afflict the best!
If the best man's faults were written on his forehead, he would draw his hat over his eyes.
And weep the more, because I weep in vain.
Visions of glory, spare my aching sight! Ye unborn ages, crowd not on my soul!
What female heart can gold despise? What cat 's averse to fish?
He pass'd the flaming bounds of place and time: The living throne, the sapphire blaze, Where angels tremble while they gaze, He saw; but blasted with excess of light, Closed his eyes in endless night.