Matthew Prior. Dialogues of the Dead and Other Works ::

A less desert may gain a People's trust
But Thou and Aristides were too just
And whilst Thy Mind had ev'rywhere its Home
They were most banish'd who were nearest Rome.

Like a true Irish Marlin that misses her flight
Little Nanny sat Pensive & Sullen all night,
The Jack-Daw escap'd her, the loss was not great,
She may yet take a Woodcock, & that's better meat.

The God of Love was but a Boy
What Amrous Cares did P[s]yches Mind employ
And yet the God of Love was but a Boy.

Even Chast Diana mindless of her way
Stop'd on the hill where Young Endymion lay
Lay by the Stream or Slumber'd in the Wood
And rose next Day as late as e'er She cou'd.
Diana too forsoo[k] her other Cares
To teach Endymion to Observe the Stars
Stopt on the Mountain where the Lover lay
And rose But very little before Day.

Early in Life We learn the Mighty Rule
Taught by Old Bess the Foundress of our School
Neither to Flatt'ry, nor to Frowns to bend
To Scorn our Foe, but Dye to Serve our Friend.

The same Man in Place and at Court or turned out and removed from thence has a different way of Voting and speaking, as some Pictures that in another Light she[w] a quite different figure. On one side it is a Pope, on the other side a Devil, here it is a Magistrate, and there a Monkey.

Everybody Commends Modesty, Few Practice it, and None get by it.

358

We often yield to Importunity, and do good to those who do not Deserve it, meerly for our own Ease. This kind of Generosity is at best Blameable, and shews Us rather the Weakness of our Tempers than the goodness of Our Inclinations.

Regards no Judges Frown, nor Courtiers fawn
Contemns the Knave tho hid in Furrs or Lawn
Not covetous of Praise nor fearing blame
With Honour Dyes, but will not live with Shame.

Act Honestly however blam'd
And rather Dye than be asham'd.

Broghil did Cowleys thankful Muse commend
And is not Broghils Grandson Prior's Friend?
Roscommons Verse indulg'd poor Drydens Pride
While to the Patrons Voice the Bard reply'd.
Roscommon writes to that unerring Hand
Muse—slay the Bull that spurns the yellow sand.
Sheffield great Buckingham Illustrious Name
Old in Policy and in Civil Fame
Transferr'd his Lawrel to his Pupil Pope
The Patrons goodness pass'd the Poets hope.

Let Reason then her Arts imploy
Let her convince Thee doubtful Maid
That Venus is the Queen of Joy
And Thou art gentle when Obey'd.

Let reason therefore leave the breast
Which vainly we wou'd Strive to hold
And try his strength in Cælia's breast
Severe and disengaged and Cold.

There bid her all her Arts imploy
And showing Thy eternal Slave
Convince her Victors may destroy
But Legal Sov'raigns always save.

359

Thou arm'st thy Self in Cælias Eyes
Great Love when reason wou'd rebell
And ev'ry time I dare be wise
Thy rage more terrible I feel.

Repeated thoughts present the ill
Which seeing I must stil endure
They tell me Thou hast Darts to kill
And Wisdom has no Pow'r to Cure.

Avails it [a]ught to see the Ill
Which seeing I must stil endure
To know that Love has Darts to kill
While Wisdom wants the Pow'r to Cure.

O Dear to God and Man O Prince approv'd
And try'd by Heav'n, by Earth Confest and lov'd
Oh for our good Ascend thy Native Seat:
In Thee let Judah once again be great.
Let the glad Oyle from thy Anointed head,
Upon a bleeding Nation's wounds be Shed,
Pardon & Rule, let kindness grace thy Pow'r
The Throne on Mercy founded Stands Secure.

University of Virginia Library

[Fragments in Prose and Verse.]