 | Poems on Several Occasions |  |
418
To Cælia's Ague.
ODE.
I
Hence, fond Disease, I say forbear,And strive t'afflict my Fair no more,
In vain are thy attempts on her,
She was, alas! so cold before.
II
Yet thou at once, by Sympathy,Disturb'st two Persons in one Ill;
For when she freezes, then I fry,
And so compleat her Ague still.
III
Sure thou my choice would'st fain disgrace,By making her look Pale, and Green,
Had she no Beauties, but her face,
I never had a Lover been.
419
IV
For sparkling Eyes, and rosie CheeksMust, as her Youth does fade, decay:
But Virtue, which her Bosom decks,
Will, when they're sunk, and wither'd, stay.
V
Thou would'st eclipse that Virtue too,For such a Triumph far too dear,
Making her tremble, as they do,
Whom jealous guilt has taught to fear.
VI
I wish thy Malice might so thriveTo my advantage, as to shake
Her Flinty Breast, that I might live,
And on that part a battery make.
VII
But since Assaults without some fireAre seldom to perfection brought,
I may like thee baffled retire,
Thou hast her burning sit forgot.
420
VIII
Since thy attempts then never canAtchieve the power to destroy
This wonder, and delight of Man,
Hence to some grosser Body fly.
IX
Yet, as returning stomacks doStill covet some one Dish they see:
So when thou from my Fair do'st go,
Kind Ague, make her long for me.
| Poems on Several Occasions | |