But, if by chance the series of thy joys TO A LADY: SHE REFUSING TO CONTINUE A DISPUTE WITH ME, AND LEAVING ME IN THE ARGUMENT. AN ODE. 1 SPARE, generous Victor, spare the slave, That more than triumph he might have, 2 In the dispute whate'er I said, My heart was by my tongue belied; 3 You, far from danger as from fear, Your eyes are always in the right. 4 Why, fair one, would you not rely On Reason's force with Beauty's joined; Could I their prevalence deny, I must at once be deaf and blind. 5 Alas! not hoping to subdue, I only to the fight aspired; 21 To keep the beauteous foe in view 6 But she, howe'er of victory sure, Contemns the wreath too long delayed; 7 Deeper to wound, she shuns the fight: She drops her arms, to gain the field: Secures her conquest by her flight: And triumphs, when she seems to yield. 8 So when the Parthian turned his steed, SEEING THE DUKE OF ORMOND'S1 AT SIR GODFREY KNELLER'S. OUT from the injured canvas, Kneller, strike 5 1 James, Duke of Ormond, eldest son of Thomas, Earl of Ossory. He, after holding many considerable posts during the reigns of King William and Queen Anne, was, in the beginning of the reign of George the First, attainted of high treason on account of his being concerned in the unpopular measures of the last four years of Queen Anne's reign. He died in exile in the year 1745, in a very advanced age. At the battle of Landen he was taken prisoner, after his horse was shot under him, and he had received many wounds. Where'er it points, denouncing death. Below Till weak with wounds, and covered o'er with blood, 7 O Kneller, could thy shades and lights express 20 The perfect hero in that glorious dress, Ages to come might Ormond's picture know, CELIA TO DAMON. Atque in amore mala hæc proprio, summeque secundo LUCRET. lib. iv. WHAT can I say, what arguments can prove My truth, what colours can describe In what thy Celia has already done? my love; Thy infant flames, whilst yet they were concealed In timorous doubts, with pity I beheld; With easy smiles dispelled the silent fear That durst not tell me what I died to hear; In vain I strove to check my growing flame, Or shelter passion under friendship's name; 10 You saw my heart, how it my tongue belied, 11 Ere guardian thought could bring its scattered aid, Ere reason could support the doubting maid, My soul surprised, and from herself disjoined, Left all reserve, and all the sex behind; From your command her motions she received; And not for me, but you, she breathed and lived. But ever blest be Cytherea's shrine, And fires eternal on her altars shine; Since thy dear breast has felt an equal wound, And sure am I, thou wouldst not change this hour power. Poor as it is, this beauty was the cause, 20 30 40 And on this forehead, where your verse has said, 45 The Loves delighted, and the Graces played; Insulting Age will trace his cruel way, And leave sad marks of his destructive sway. 50 Moved by my charms, with them your love may cease, And as the fuel sinks, the flame decrease; Or angry Heaven may quicker darts prepare, And Sickness strike what Time awhile would spare. Then will my swain his glowing vows renew; Then will his throbbing heart to mine beat true; When my own face deters me from my glass, And Kneller only shows what Celia was? Fantastic fame may sound her wild alarms; When you Love's joys, through Honour's optic, view. Will pass unheard, will unregarded die; When the rough seaman's louder shouts prevail; 70 And Interest guides the helm, and Honour swells the sail. Some wretched lines from this neglected hand May find my hero on a foreign strand, Warm with new fires, and pleased with new command; |