THE Wanton's charms, however bright,
Are like the false illusive light;
Whose flatt'ring unauspicious blaze,
To precipices oft betrays.
But that sweet ray your beauties dart, Which clears the mind, and cleans the heart, Is like the sacred Queen of Night:
Who pours a lovely gentle light
Wide o'er the dark; by wanderers blest,
Conducting them to peace and rest.
A vicious love depraves the mind!
'Tis Anguish, Guilt, and Folly joined!
But SERAPHINA's eyes dispense
A mild and gracious influence;
Such as, in visions, Angels shed
Around the heaven-illumined head.
To love thee, SERAPHINA! sure,
Is to be tender, happy, pure!
'Tis from low Passions to escape;
And woo bright Virtue's fairest shape!
'Tis ecstasy, with wisdom joined ;
And Heaven infused into the mind!
THANKS, CHLOE! Thy coquetting art,
At length, hath healed my love-sick heart!
At length, thy slave is free!
I feel no tyrant's proud control!
I feel no inmate in my soul
But Peace and Liberty!
'Put on thy looks of cold disdain;
Or speak respectful! 'Tis in vain!
Nor frowns, nor smiles can move!
Those lips no more have words to bind!
Those eyes no more have light to find
The path that leads to Love!
'But still I hear you, smiling, say, "'Tis sign you've flung your chains away; You take such pains to show them!" Why, CHLOE! there's a fond delight, Our former dangers to recite;
And let our neighbours know them!
'After the thunder of the wars;
The Vet'ran thus displays his scars,
And tells you of his pains!
The Galley Slave, enslaved no more,
Shows you the shackles which he wore,
And where their mark remains!
'For me, I quit a fickle Fair! CHLOE has lost a heart sincere!
Who first should sing Te Deum? You'll never find so true a Swain! But women full as false and vain, By dozens one may see them!'
DEAR GRAY! that always in my heart
Possessest far the better part,
What mean these sudden blasts that rise
And drive the Zephyrs from the skies?
O, join with mine, thy tuneful Lay,
And invocate the tardy May!
Come, fairest Nymph! resume thy reign! Bring all the Graces in thy Train!
With balmy breath, and flowery tread,
Rise from thy soft ambrosial bed;
Where, in Elysian slumber bound,
Embow'ring myrtles veil thee round.
Awake, in all thy glories drest!
Recall the Zephyrs from the West!
Restore the sun! revive the skies!
At mine, and Nature's call, arise!
Great Nature's self upbraids thy stay;
And misses her accustomed May.
See! all her works demand thy aid!
The labours of POMONA fade!
A plaint is heard from ev'ry tree!
Each budding flow'ret calls for thee!
The birds forget to love and sing!
With storms alone the forests ring!
Come then, with Pleasure at thy side! Diffuse thy vernal spirit wide! Create, where'er thou turn'st thy eye, Peace, Plenty, Love, and Harmony;
Till ev'ry being share its part,
And Heaven and Earth be glad at heart!
IN IMITATION OF MARTIAL, LIB. VI. Ep. 34., ON LADY [ELIZABETH] ILCHESTER ASKING LORD ILCHESTER, HOW MANY KISSES HE WOULD HAVE?
Written at Redlynch [Park, Somerset], in August 1740.
DEAR BETTY! come, give me sweet kisses!
For sweeter no Girl ever gave!
But why, in the midst of our blisses,
Do you ask me, How many I'd have?
I'm not to be stinted in pleasure,
Then, prithee, dear BETTY! be kind!
For as I love thee beyond measure,
To numbers I'll not be confined!
Count the bees that on Hybla are straying!
Count the flowers that enamel the fields!
Count the flocks that on Tempe are playing;
Or the grains that each Sicily yields!
Count how many stars are in heaven!
Go, reckon the sands on the shore!
And when so many kisses you've given;
I still shall be asking for more!
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