University of Virginia Library



The Authour to the Ladies.

Great and faire Madams, you whose star-like eyes,
Sunne-burn the world, and do mock the skies:
You Constellations, who are never seen;
But w'are half blinded, had your Beautie been
Where Hero's blinking Conduct taper stood,
To guide Leander sculling through the flood,
Ne'er had he lost his way for want of light,
He'd swum by day, though he had swum by night:
Confest, you might have vail'd, but then your praise
Were lost, true Beautie scornes to mask its rayes:
Therefore Amanda comes with open face,
Daring to vie this feature, or that grace,
With the most heav'nly, sweetest, lovely, she
That deserves duel: Ladies, pardon me,
And pardon her, she only blushing stands
To mingle lilies with your lilie hands.