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Matthew Prior. Dialogues of the Dead and Other Works

in Prose and Verse. The Text Edited by A. R. Waller
Prior, Matthew (1664-1721)

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DIALOGUES OF THE DEAD AND OTHER WORKS IN PROSE AND VERSE

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Song
[_]

Set by Messrs Pickering and Tudway.

[Love I confess I thought Thee but a Name]

Love I confess I thought Thee but a Name
The Painters fancy and the Poets Theme,
The Old Wives Tale, the wishing Virgins dream
But if indeed Thou art a God
Supreme in Goodness and in Pow'r
Now make it clearly understood
And I'l repent and I'l adore.
Or use thy Mercy, and withdraw the dart
Gently! Ah! gently, from my fester'd heart;
Or strike the weapon thrô my Cælia's breast
And be Thy Godhead by thy Pow'r exprest.
For whilst I follow and my Cælia flies
Whilst I entreat and She denys
I own my Self a harden'd Atheist stil
And must deny thy Power, or blame thy Will.
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