Poems upon Several Occasions | ||
Wisdom.
I
Be Wise d'ye say, I scorn that Word:Love's Politicks no such Rule afford,
For Love and Wisdom never yet,
Believe me, in one Subject met,
51
Can be at once, Wise, and in Love.
II
The boldest Painter never dar'dDraw Love with either Eyes or Beard,
For these are Wisdom's Signs; but he
Delights in plain Simplicity.
Blindness and Childhood best express
His open-hearted Heedlesness.
III
Let them be wise that rule the State,And calculate the Kingdom's Fate,
Grave Counsellers, and Judges sage,
Philosophers and Men of Age;
The Serpent's Wisdom let them use,
We the Dove's Innocence will chuse.
IV
Wisdom to them perhaps may beOf Use: but not to thee and me,
52
Of Doubts, and make our Pleasures dull.
Away with't: in the Mysteries
Of Love, 'tis Folly to be wise.
V
Ah! Dear, Thou dost not see the endTo which such evil Counsels tend.
Consider what it is you speak;
If this Advice Men once should take,
Your Empire's Ruine it would prove.
No wise Man ever was in Love.
VI
If I were Wise, I soon should findTh' Impertinence of Woman-kind:
Neither your Favour, nor your Frown
Would lift me up, or cast me down.
The Influence of your starry Eyes
Is over-rul'd by him that's wise.
53
VII
The deepest Mystery of StateThat makes the Pope, and Women great,
Is Ignorance: If men were Wise,
Both Pope, and Women they'd despise,
And Protestants we all should prove
'Gainst his Religion, and your Love.
Poems upon Several Occasions | ||