So they loved, as love in twain
Had the essence but in one;
Two distincts, division none:
Number there in love was slain.

Hearts remote, yet not asunder; Distance, and no space was seen "Twixt the turtle and his queen: But in them it were a wonder.

So between them love did shine, That the turtle saw his right Flaming in the phoenix' sight: Either was the other's mine.

Property was thus appall'd,
That the self was not the same:
Single nature's double name
Neither two nor one was call'd.

Reason, in itself confounded.
Saw division grow together;
To themselves yet either neither,
Simple were so well compounded;

That it cried,-How true a twain
Seemeth this concordant one!
Love hath reason. reason none,
If what parts can so remain.

Whereupon it made this threne 1
To the phoenix and the dove,
Co-supremes and stars of love;
As chorus to their tragic scene :-

THRENOS.

Beauty, truth, and rarity,
Grace in all simplicity,

Here enclosed in cinders lie.

Death is now the phoenix' nest;
And the turtle's loyal breast
To eternity doth rest,

Leaving no posterity:
'Twas not their infirmity;
It was married chastity.

Truth may seem, but cannot be ;
Beauty brag, but 'tis not she
Truth and beauty buried be.

To this urn let those repair,
That are either true or fair:

For these dead birds sigh a prayer.

WM. SHAKE-SPEARE.

1 Funeral song.

INDEX.

TO

THE MOST STRIKING PASSAGES AND BEAUTIES OF

SHAKSPEARE.