Worse than the viper’s sting its teeth did wound

The wretch who felt it soon behov’d to die;

Nor could physicians ever yet be found

Who might a certain antidote apply:

Even they whose skill had sav’d a mighty host,

Against its bite no remedy could boast.

Revengeful Mey, her fury to appease,

And him destroy who durst her passion slight,

Feign’d to be stricken with a dire disease,

And call’d the hopeless Albin to her sight: