“In Babylon, where first her queen, for state, Raised walls of brick magnificently great, Lived Pyramus and Thisbe, lovely pair! He found no eastern youth his equal there, And she beyond the fairest nymph was fair. A closer neighbourhood was never known, Though two the houses, yet the roof was one. Acquaintance grew, the acquaintance they improve To friendship, friendship ripen’d into love: Love had been crown’d, but, impotently mad, What parents could not hinder, they forbade: For with fierce flames young Pyramus still burn’d, And grateful Thisbe flames as fierce return’d. Aloud in words their thoughts they dare not break, But silent stand: and silent looks can speak. The fire of love, the more it is suppress’d, The more it glows and rages in the breast.