The Fable of Apollo and Daphne.
I
Apollo
once finding fair Daphne alone,
Discover'd his Flame in a passionate Tone;
He told her, and bound it with many a Curse,
He was ready to take her for Better for Worse.
Then he talk'd of his Smart,
And the Hole in his Heart,
So large, one might drive thro' the Passage a Cart.
But the silly coy Maid, to the Gods great Amazement,
Sprung away from his Arms, and leapt through the Casement.
II
He following cry'd out, my Life and my Dear,
Return to your Lover, and lay by your Fear.
You think me perhaps some Scoundrel, or Whoreson,
Alas! I've no wicked Designs on your Person.
I'm a God by my Trade,
Young, plump and well-made,
Then let me caress thee, and be not afraid.
But still she kept running, and flew like the Wind,
While the poor pursy God came panting behind.
III
I'm the Chief of Physicians; and none of the College
Must be mention'd with me for Experience and Knowledge;
Each Herb, Flower, and Plant by its Name I can call,
And do more than the best Seventh Son of 'em all.
With my Powders and Pills,
I cure all the Ills,
That sweep off such Numbers each Week in the Bills.
But still she kept running, and flew like the Wind,
While the poor pursy God came panting behind.
IV
Besides I'm a Poet, Child, into the Bargain,
And top all the Writers of fam'd Covent-Garden.
I'm the Prop of the Stage, and the Pattern of Wit,
I set my own Sonnets, and sing to my Kit.
I'm at Will's all the Day,
And each Night at the Play;
And Verses I make fast as Hops, as they say.
When she heard him talk thus, she redoubled her Speed,
And flew like a Whore from a Constable freed.
V
Now had our wise Lover (but Lovers are blind)
In the Language of Lumbard-street told her his Mind,
Look Lady what here is, 'tis plenty of Money,
Odsbobs I must swinge thee, my Joy and my Honey.
I sit next the Chair,
And shall shortly be Mayor,
Neither Clayton nor Duncomb with me can compare.
Tho', as wrinkled as Priam, deform'd as the Devil,
The God had succecded, the Nymph had been civil.
