Imagini ale paginilor
PDF
ePub

THYRSIS, a young and am'rous Swain,
Saw two, the Beauties of the plain;
Who both his heart subdue.

Gay CŒLIA's eyes were dazzling fair;
SABINA's easy shape and Air,

With softer magic drew.

He haunts the stream, he haunts the grove, Lives in a fond Romance of Love;

And seems for each to die! Till each, a little spiteful grown, SABINA, CLIA's shape ran down; And she, SABINA's eye.

Their envy made the Shepherd find Those eyes which Love could only blind; So set the Lover free!

No more he haunts the grove, or stream; Or with a True-Love Knot and name, Engraves a wounded tree!

Ah, CŒLIA!' sly SABINA cried, 'Though neither love; we're both denied! Now, to support the Sex's pride, Let either fix the dart!'

'Poor Girl!' says CŒLIA, 'say no more!' For should the Swain but one adore, That spite, which broke his chains before, Would break the other's heart!'

LOVE IN DISGUISE.

To stifle Passion is no easy thing!
A heart in love is always on the wing!
The bold betrayer flutters still,

And fans the breath prepared to tell:
It melts the tongue, and tunes the throat,
And moves the lips to form the note;
And when the speech is lost,

It then sends out its ghost,
A little sigh,

To say, 'We die!'

'Tis strange, the air, that cools, a flame should prove! But wonder not! It is the air of love!

Yet, CHLORIS! I can make my love look well;
And cover bleeding wounds I can't conceal!
My words such art-ful accents break,
You think I rather act than speak!
My sighs, enlivened through a smile,
Your unsuspecting thoughts beguile!
My eyes are varied so,

You can't their wishes know!
And I'm so gay,

You think I play!

Happy contrivance! such as can't be prized!
To live in love; and yet to live disguised!!

LOVE'S RELIEF

A WRETCH, long tortured with disdain,
That hourly pined, but pined in vain;
At length, the God of Wine addrest,
The refuge of a wounded breast.

'Vouchsafe, O, Power! thy healing aid! Teach me to gain the cruel Maid!

Thy juices take the Lover's part,

Flush his wan looks, and cheer his heart!'

Thus to the jolly God he cried;
And thus the jolly God replied.

'Give whining o'er! Be brisk and gay; And quaff this sneaking Form away!'

'With dauntless mien approach the Fair!
The way to conquer is to dare!'
The Swain pursued the God's advice;
The Nymph was now no longer nice.

She smiled, and spoke the Sex's mind,
'When you grow daring; we grow
we grow kind!

Men to themselves are most severe;
And make us tyrants by their fear!'

A SILLY Shepherd wooed; but wist not
How he might his Mistress' favour gain.
On a time, they met; but kissed not!
Ever after that, he sued in vain!

Blame her not, alas! though She said 'Nay!'
To him that might; but fled away!

Time perpetually is changing,

Every moment alteration brings,
Love and Beauty still estranging.
Women are, alas! but wanton things!
He that will his Mistress' favour gain,
Must take her in a merry vein!

A woman's fancy 's like a fever;
Or an ague, that doth come by fits!
Hot and cold, but constant never;
Even as the pleasant humour hits.

Sick, and well again; and well and sick;
In love it is a woman's trick!

Now she will; and then she will not!
Put her to the trial, if once she smile!
Silly Youth! thy fortunes spill not!
Ling'ring labours oft themselves beguile!
He that knocks, and can't get in;
His pick-lock is not worth a pin!

A woman's 'Nay!' is no denial!
Silly Youths of love are served so!
Put her to a further trial!

Haply, she'll take it, and say 'No!'
For it is a trick which women use;
What they love, they will refuse!

Silly Youth! why dost thou dally,
Having got time and season fit?

Then, never stand, 'Sweet! shall I? shall I?'
Nor too much commend an after-wit!

For he that will not, when he may;
When he will, he shall have 'Nay!'

« ÎnapoiContinuă »