NOTES ON THE TRIUMPH OF DEATH. (1) This is an exact account of the last scene of Laura. Her biographer observes, as an indubitable proof of her uncommon merit, that the attachment of her female friends was not lessened by their envy at her personal charms. The sentiments expressed by them on this occasion are the same which are recorded by Petrarch in his prose works. (2) On account of this sentiment of Laura this part is in some editions printed with the Triumph of Fame, and not without reason; because if the account be true, as it is highly probable, she at least endangered her delicacy, if not her virtue, by her inordinate passion for the reputation of furnishing a theme to so celebrated a poet. END OF THE TRIUMPH OF DEATH. THE TRIUMPH OF FAM E. PART THE FIRST. WHEN cruel Death his paly ensign spread Over that face, which oft in triumph led My subject thoughts; and Beauty's sovereign light, Retiring, left the world immerst in night; The Phantom, with a frown that chill'd the heart, Seem'd with his gloomy pageant to depart, Exulting in his formidable arms, And proud of conquest o'er seraphic charms. 26 When, turning round, I saw the Power* advance The glorious guerdon of immortal FAME. Before the golden wheels of orient light He came. But who the tendant pomp can tell, At first; but to the splendor soon inur'd, As on they march'd with more than mortal mien; *Viz. Fame. |