What chance first gave you to Vonones' pow'r?

Curiosity thou know'st is of our sex.[Pg 41]

[Pg 41]

Evanthe.

Evanthe.

That is a task will wake me to new sorrows,

Yet thou attend, and I will tell thee all.

Arabia gave me birth, my father held

Great Offices at Court, and was reputed

Brave, wise and loyal, by his Prince belov'd.

Oft has he led his conqu'ring troops, and forc'd

From frowning victory her awful honours.

In infancy I was his only treasure,

On me he wasted all his store of fondness.

Oh! I could tell thee of his wond'rous goodness,

His more than father's love and tenderness.

But thou wouldst jeer, and say the tale was trifling;

So did he dote upon me, for in childhood

My infant charms, and artless innocence

Blest his fond age, and won on ev'ry heart.

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