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Best image of myself, and dearer half, The trouble of thy thoughts this night in sleep Affects me equally; nor can I like This uncouth dream, of evil sprung, I fear. Yet evil whence? in thee can harbour none, Created pure. But know, that in the soul Are many lesser faculties, that serve . Reason as chief. Among these, Fancy next Her office holds; of all external things, Which the five watchful senses represent, She forms imaginations, aery shapes, Which reason joining or disjoining frames All what we affirm or what deny, and call Our knowledge or opinion; then retires Into her private cell, when nature rests. Oft in her absence mimic Fancy wakes To imitate her; but misjoining shapes, Wild work produces oft, and most in dreams; Ill matching words and deeds long past or late, Some such resemblances, methinks, I find Of our last evening's talk in this thy dream, But with addition strange; yet be not sad. Evil into the mind of God or Man May come and go, so unapproved, and leave No spot or blame behind; which gives me hope That what in sleep thou didst abhor to dream, Waking thou never wilt consent to do. Be not disheartened, then, nor cloud those looks, That wont to be more cheerful and serene, Than when fair morning first smiles on the world; And let us to our fresh employments rise Among the groves, the fountains, and the flowers, That open now their choicest bosomed smells, Reserved from night, and kept for thee in store.

So cheered he his fair spouse, and she was cheered, But silently a gentle tear let fall

Book V., lines 12, 13.