Matthew Prior. Poems on Several Occasions The Text Edited by A. R. Waller |
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To a LADY:
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 | Matthew Prior. Poems on Several Occasions |  |
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To a LADY:
She refusing to continue a Dispute with me, and leaving me in the Argument.
An ODE.
I
Spare, Gen'rous Victor, spare the Slave,Who did unequal War pursue;
That more than Triumph He might have,
In being overcome by You.
II
In the Dispute whate'er I said,My Heart was by my Tongue bely'd;
And in my Looks You might have read,
How much I argu'd on your side.
III
You, far from Danger as from Fear,Might have sustain'd an open Fight:
For seldom your Opinions err:
Your Eyes are always in the right.
IV
Why, fair One, would You not relyOn Reason's Force with Beauty's join'd?
Could I their Prevalence deny;
I must at once be deaf and blind.
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V
Alas! not hoping to subdue,I only to the Fight aspir'd:
To keep the beauteous Foe in view
Was all the Glory I desir'd.
VI
But She, howe'er of Vict'ry sure,Contemns the Wreath too long delay'd;
And, arm'd with more immediate Pow'r,
Calls cruel Silence to her Aid.
VII
Deeper to wound, See shuns the Fight:She drops her Arms, to gain the Field:
Secures her Conquest by her Flight;
And triumphs, when She seems to yield.
VIII
So when the Parthian turn'd his Steed,And from the Hostile Camp withdrew;
With cruel Skill the backward Reed
He sent; and as He fled, He slew.
| Matthew Prior. Poems on Several Occasions | |