Poems (1686) — Penelope to Ulysses

Penelope to Ulysses.

Return my dearest Lord, at length return, Let me no longer your sad absence mourn, _Ilium_ in Dust, does no more Work afford, No more Employment for your Wit or Sword.

Why did not the fore-seeing Gods destroy, _Helin_ the Fire-brand both of _Greece_ and _Troy_, E're yet the Fatal Youth her Face had seen, E're lov'd and born away the wanton Queen?

Then had been stopt the mighty Floud of Woe, Which now both _Greece_ and _Phrygia_ over-flow: Then I, these many Teares, should not have shed, Nor thou, the source of them, to War been led: I should not then have trembled at the Fame Of _Hectors_ warlike and victorious Name.

Why did I wish the Noble _Hector_ Slain?

Why _Ilium_ ruin'd?

Rise, O rise again!

Again great City flourish from thine Urne: For though thou'rt burn'd, my Lord does not return.

Sometimes I think, (but O most Cruel Thought,) That, for thy Absence, th'art thy self in fault: That thou art captiv'd by some captive Dame, Who, when thou fired'st _Troy_, did thee inflame And now with her thou lead'st thy am'rous Life, Forgetful, and despising of thy Wife.