The Shamrock or, Hibernian Cresses. A Collection of Poems, Songs, Epigrams, &c. Latin as well as English, The Original Production of Ireland. To which are subjoined thoughts on the prevailing system of school education, respecting young ladies as well as gentlemen: with practical proposals for a reformation [by Samuel Whyte] |
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| II. | ÆNIGMA II. |
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 | The Shamrock |  |
ÆNIGMA II.
So small my Size, that Men despise me,
But I am content, while Ladies prize me;
For still 'tis my peculiar Care,
To guard, and to adorn the Fair.
Aye! and, good Sirs, 'tis very true!
I have a Head as well as you.
O how 'twould make you fret and grieve
To hear what Favours I receive;
How much in secret I am caress'd;
How oft 'twixt Cloe's Fingers press'd!
How oft her balmy Lips I have tasted,
And there, for Hours together feasted!
To me her Beauties she revails,
Nor from me any Charm conceals:
Even the most secret have I seen;
And been—ye Gods, where I have been!—
Perch'd at my Ease! while Lovers toil,
To watch her Looks, and catch her Smile.
Then if some Youth, with amorous Haste,
Presumes to clasp her slender Waist;
Ready to fly to her Assistance,
I make him keep his proper Distance.
When I am there, who dares be rude,
He surely pays for't with his Blood.
And, O ye Fair! forgive the Tale,
For tho' you are fair, you are sometimes frail,
How many I have preserv'd from Ruin,
And, that vile Creature, Man's Undoing:
When in Appearance all was over,
And he almost a happy Lover,
Have I stept in, with timely Care,
And boldly push'd my Point so far,
I have made him curse and swear with Passion,
And fly with mad Precipitation.
But I am content, while Ladies prize me;
For still 'tis my peculiar Care,
To guard, and to adorn the Fair.
Aye! and, good Sirs, 'tis very true!
I have a Head as well as you.
475
To hear what Favours I receive;
How much in secret I am caress'd;
How oft 'twixt Cloe's Fingers press'd!
How oft her balmy Lips I have tasted,
And there, for Hours together feasted!
To me her Beauties she revails,
Nor from me any Charm conceals:
Even the most secret have I seen;
And been—ye Gods, where I have been!—
Perch'd at my Ease! while Lovers toil,
To watch her Looks, and catch her Smile.
Then if some Youth, with amorous Haste,
Presumes to clasp her slender Waist;
Ready to fly to her Assistance,
I make him keep his proper Distance.
When I am there, who dares be rude,
He surely pays for't with his Blood.
And, O ye Fair! forgive the Tale,
For tho' you are fair, you are sometimes frail,
How many I have preserv'd from Ruin,
And, that vile Creature, Man's Undoing:
When in Appearance all was over,
And he almost a happy Lover,
Have I stept in, with timely Care,
And boldly push'd my Point so far,
I have made him curse and swear with Passion,
And fly with mad Precipitation.
But now, good Folks, the Sequel note,
How soon past Service is forgot!
See how compos'd she tells the Story,
And to herself takes all the Glory;
Talks of her mighty Self-denial,
How she withstood the fiery Trial;
Cracks of her spotless Chastity,
And boasts of Virtue—sav'd by me!
How soon past Service is forgot!
See how compos'd she tells the Story,
And to herself takes all the Glory;
476
How she withstood the fiery Trial;
Cracks of her spotless Chastity,
And boasts of Virtue—sav'd by me!
| The Shamrock | |