The English Dance of Death from the designs of Thomas Rowlandson, with metrical illustrations, by the author of "Doctor Syntax" [i.e. William Combe] |
 | I. |
| II. |
 | The English Dance of Death |  |
Thus would the fair Belinda reason,
As she denied that it was treason
For Females to employ their mind
On subjects of an higher kind.
Authors who on those subjects wrote,
She oft had studied and could quote.
She knew grave men had oft disputed,
Though none appear'd to be confuted;
As none had e'er presum'd to prove
Where is the real seat of Love.
Some did the fine opinion start,
That it took place within the Heart;
Others, the mark for Cupid's Quiver,
Would boldly argue was the Liver;
But still the best could only doubt,
As none of them had found it out.
Thus, as she thought, she us'd to flout it,
And look'd to find a Mate without it;
To go with Hymen to the Altar,
But threatning Cupid with a Halter,
If the insulting Urchin dare
To make his sly appearance there.
But still she never fail'd to own
It was not good to live alone:
That Nature had by certain Laws,
Of which she well could trace the cause,
To carry on the scheme of Life,
Ordain'd the tie of Man and Wife;
And Wife she was resolv'd to be,
When, grac'd with stern fidelity
And manly virtue she could find
A Suitor fashion'd to her mind;
Whose Thoughts obey'd the moral sense,
Whose heart possess'd Benevolence;
But whose Philosophy would prove
Superior to the Syren Love.
He might a tender Father be,
And deal forth deeds of Charity;
In the strait Line of Duty move,
But, never, never be in Love.
As she denied that it was treason
For Females to employ their mind
On subjects of an higher kind.
Authors who on those subjects wrote,
She oft had studied and could quote.
She knew grave men had oft disputed,
Though none appear'd to be confuted;
As none had e'er presum'd to prove
Where is the real seat of Love.
Some did the fine opinion start,
That it took place within the Heart;
Others, the mark for Cupid's Quiver,
Would boldly argue was the Liver;
175
As none of them had found it out.
Thus, as she thought, she us'd to flout it,
And look'd to find a Mate without it;
To go with Hymen to the Altar,
But threatning Cupid with a Halter,
If the insulting Urchin dare
To make his sly appearance there.
But still she never fail'd to own
It was not good to live alone:
That Nature had by certain Laws,
Of which she well could trace the cause,
To carry on the scheme of Life,
Ordain'd the tie of Man and Wife;
And Wife she was resolv'd to be,
When, grac'd with stern fidelity
And manly virtue she could find
A Suitor fashion'd to her mind;
Whose Thoughts obey'd the moral sense,
Whose heart possess'd Benevolence;
But whose Philosophy would prove
Superior to the Syren Love.
176
And deal forth deeds of Charity;
In the strait Line of Duty move,
But, never, never be in Love.
| The English Dance of Death | |