The Poetical Works of Mr. William Pattison

Ye gentle Nymphs, to whom my Lays belong,
Approve my Numbers, and assist my Song;
Soft-smiling may your bright'ning Eyes inspire
At once the Poet's, and the Lover's Fire:
So shall the Muse each magic Charm rehearse;
So shall each Charm be lasting as her Verse.

Bless'd in my Choice! what blooming Beauties rise!
How court my Numbers with inspiring Eyes!
O could my Lays like gentle Waller move,
Like gentle Waller tune the Soul to Love;
Bright as my Theme, each easy Note should shine,
And Sacharissas Smile in ev'ry Line.

To Aurenelia, fam'd Carlisle should yield,
And Waller own his fav'rite Fair excell'd:
Had Charms like Her's inspir'd his lofty Lays,
How had he grown immortal in Her Praise!
How might the Muse Her wonted Gift receive,
And Poetry from Beauty learn to live!

When Sylvia smiles, methinks, she smiles to prove
Her Charms superiour to the Power of Love.
Gay-sportive Cupids flutter round the Fair,
Pant on her Breast, and wanton in her Hair;
With ev'ry Lock, a new Adorer gain,
And ev'ry Ringlet is a Lover's Chain;
The Orbit Ringlets, soft dissolving down,
Flow on her Breast, and half her Bosom drown;
Thro' the bright Shades, her panting Bubbies heave,
Like Swans emerging from a silver Wave.

On Delia's Cheeks, eternal Roses bloom,
Her ruby Lips exhale a sweet Perfume;
Her ruby Lips indulge a mutual Kiss,
And blush luxuriant in their envy'd Bliss.

When bright Belinda leads the sprightly Dance,
With ev'ry Step, our captive Hearts advance;
Her magic Charms the soft Enchantress prove,
And on her Breast descends the God of Love
Smiling, she seems to imitate those Airs,
That form their Regularity by Her's;
Moves, as the Soul-dissolving Numbers move;
And musically swims the Maze of Love:
On the soft Sounds, her gentle Motions flow,
And sail along majestically slow:
Her waving Arms in snowy Circles play
And all the easy Conquerour display;
Melodious Music warbles Love's Alarms,
Sounds the soft Charge, and sings her conqu'ring Charms.

When Flora sings, ye Gods! 'tis Heav'n to hear,
We listen to the Music of the Sphere;
Our ravish'd Sight confirms the sweet Surprize
And owns the Angel, by her heav'nly Eyes.

But, O! my Muse, your tunefull'st Charms prepare,
Harmonious, as your Aurenelia's fair.
Where-e'er she looks, her Eyes like Lightnings wound,
Whene'er she speaks, there's Music in the Sound;
From her dear Lips such melting Softness flows,
Soft as when Zephirs kiss the silken Rose:
But when the wond'rous Charmer talks of Love,
Good Gods! what Raptures in our Bosom move!
How each Discourse our Soul transported warms,
And, if 'tis possible, improves her Charms.

O ever beauteous, ever lovely Fair,
Pride of my Verse, and Object of my Care.
O take me, clasp me, melting in thy Arms,
Unfold thy Sweets, and open all thy Charms
On those dear Breasts for ever let me rove,
Those Breasts to me the true Poetic Grove!
On those soft Hills for ever let me sing,
And sip thy sacred Heliconian Spring.

Were Paris here to judge fair Beauty's prize,
How might these brighter Goddesses surprize;
How could his Choice the doubtful Favour place,
When a new Venus shines in ev'ry Face?
But since that Task, that pleasing Task I claim,
O Venus guide me to a brighter Flame:
To Aurenelia's Charms my Wishes move,
Warm her cold Heart, and tune her Breast to Love;
There, let my Soul a nobler Prize impart,
And for an Apple, give my bleeding Heart.

University of Virginia Library

The Cambridge Beauties.

By an Admirer of the Fair Sex.