XXXI.
O thou of islands jewel and of half-islands,
Fair Sirmio, whatever o'er the lakes' clear rim
Or waste of ocean, Neptune holds, a two-fold pow'r;
What joy have I to see thee, and to gaze what glee!
5 Scarce yet believing Thunia past, the fair champaign
Bithunian, yet in safety thee to greet once more.
From cares to part us—where is any joy like this?
Then drops the soul her fardel, as the travel-tir'd
World-weary wand'rer touches home, returns, sinks down
10 In joy to slumber on the bed desir'd so long.
This meed, this only counts for e'en an age all toil.
O take a welcome, lovely Sirmio, thy lord's,
And greet him happy; greet him all the lake Lydian;
Laugh out whatever laughter at the hearth rings clear.
XXXII.
List, I charge thee, my gentle Ipsithilla,
Lovely ravisher and my dainty mistress,
Say we'll linger a lazy noon together.
Suits my company? lend a farther hearing:
5 See no jealousy make the gate against me,
See no fantasy lead thee out a-roaming.
Keep close chamber; anon in all profusion
Count me kisses again again returning.
Bides thy will? with a sudden haste command me;
10 Full and wistful, at ease reclin'd, a lover
Here I languish alone, supinely dreaming.