Methought I saw the grave where Laura lay, br Within that temple where the vestal flame br Was wont to burn; and, passing by that way, br To see that buried dust of living fame, br Whose tomb fair Love and fairer Virtue kept, br All suddenly I saw the Fairy Queen, br At whose approach the soul of Petrarch wept ; br And from thenceforth those graces were not seen, br For they this Queen attended; in whose stead br Oblivion laid him down on Laura's hearse. br Hereat the hardest stones were seen to bleed, br And groans of buried ghosts the heavens did pierce : br Where Homer's spright did tremble all for grief, br And cursed the access of that celestial thief.