 | Translations and Poems Written on Several Subjects |  |
The CONTENTION:
A Poem.
Such killing Wounds, so thick the Arrows fly!
It is unsafe to be a Stander by:
Poets approaching to describe the Fight,
Are by their Wounds instructed bow to write.
Waller.
It is unsafe to be a Stander by:
Poets approaching to describe the Fight,
Are by their Wounds instructed bow to write.
Waller.
As once to Paris in the sylvan Shade,
Bright Venus, Juno, and th' Athenian Maid,
For Beauty's Prize in fair Contention came;
One offer'd Pow'r, and one immortal Fame,
But Venus set to his enamour'd Eyes
Fair Helen's Charms, and gain'd the glorious Prize:
Too weak for those Ambition's Glories prove
For what are Wealth and Fame compar'd with Love?
Bright Venus, Juno, and th' Athenian Maid,
For Beauty's Prize in fair Contention came;
One offer'd Pow'r, and one immortal Fame,
But Venus set to his enamour'd Eyes
Fair Helen's Charms, and gain'd the glorious Prize:
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For what are Wealth and Fame compar'd with Love?
So while all-conquering Beauties Triumphs last,
If modern Tales may emulate the past;
Thus once the blest Alexis, happy Swain,
Three brighter Sisters partial sought to gain:
Each would the Merit of her Beauty learn,
Tho' hard the Task, the Fairest to discern.
Scarce could the Youth the lovely Strife agree,
Or point the Fairest of the charming Three.
Confus'd a while and motionless he stood:
Fear aw'd his Soul, and Rapture fir'd his Blood;
No longer Reason could her Empire boast,
But in the soft Astonishment was lost.
At length, with down cast Eyes, and trembling Heart,
Thus did the Youth his Sentiments impart.
If modern Tales may emulate the past;
Thus once the blest Alexis, happy Swain,
Three brighter Sisters partial sought to gain:
Each would the Merit of her Beauty learn,
Tho' hard the Task, the Fairest to discern.
Scarce could the Youth the lovely Strife agree,
Or point the Fairest of the charming Three.
Confus'd a while and motionless he stood:
Fear aw'd his Soul, and Rapture fir'd his Blood;
No longer Reason could her Empire boast,
But in the soft Astonishment was lost.
At length, with down cast Eyes, and trembling Heart,
Thus did the Youth his Sentiments impart.
“Your fatal Bounty, Lovely Nymphs, I own:
“But why to me is the Distinction shown?
“To me — unequal to a Task so great,
“Who while I judge, stand anxious for my Fate;
“Who can presume superior Charms to tell,
“Where all in Beauty, and in Sense excell?
“But if by partial Fondness led astray,
“I fix the Honours of the doubtful Day;
“Impute the Error to my captive Mind,
“A Lover's Judgment must be always blind.
“But why to me is the Distinction shown?
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“Who while I judge, stand anxious for my Fate;
“Who can presume superior Charms to tell,
“Where all in Beauty, and in Sense excell?
“But if by partial Fondness led astray,
“I fix the Honours of the doubtful Day;
“Impute the Error to my captive Mind,
“A Lover's Judgment must be always blind.
“Oh Araminta! who shall rashly say,
“The matchless Charms thy Face, and Shape display?
“Compleatly form'd to please, with Magic Art
“At once you strike the ill-defended Heart;
“Surpriz'd we gaze, so lovely is the Form,
“Unapprehensive of th' approaching Storm;
“With bold Ambition, Charms like thine survey,
“Sport with the Darts, to which we fall a Prey;
“And look our Sense and Liberty away.
“Take Heed, ye Shepherds, how ye tempt your Fate,
“Who seeks her Favour, surely meets her Hate:
“Who fondly dares to hope, is doom'd to bear
“The Curse of wretched Love, and cold Despair.
“Why was th' Extravagance of Beauty giv'n
“Thus to abuse the bounteous Gift of Heav'n?
“Alas! one Nymph such wide Extremes should share,
“A Heart so cruel, in a Breast so fair!
“The matchless Charms thy Face, and Shape display?
“Compleatly form'd to please, with Magic Art
“At once you strike the ill-defended Heart;
“Surpriz'd we gaze, so lovely is the Form,
“Unapprehensive of th' approaching Storm;
“With bold Ambition, Charms like thine survey,
“Sport with the Darts, to which we fall a Prey;
“And look our Sense and Liberty away.
“Take Heed, ye Shepherds, how ye tempt your Fate,
“Who seeks her Favour, surely meets her Hate:
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“The Curse of wretched Love, and cold Despair.
“Why was th' Extravagance of Beauty giv'n
“Thus to abuse the bounteous Gift of Heav'n?
“Alas! one Nymph such wide Extremes should share,
“A Heart so cruel, in a Breast so fair!
“Behold engaging Delia next appear,
“A Maid all gentle, affable, and dear!
“Each fairer Virtue does her Soul adorn,
“And gilds the Graces of her outward Form;
“While she intent on the superior Part,
“Improves her Judgment, and amends her Heart;
“Fit to embellish every Scene of Life,
“The humble Daughter, or the faithful Wife.
“A Maid all gentle, affable, and dear!
“Each fairer Virtue does her Soul adorn,
“And gilds the Graces of her outward Form;
“While she intent on the superior Part,
“Improves her Judgment, and amends her Heart;
“Fit to embellish every Scene of Life,
“The humble Daughter, or the faithful Wife.
“But see! Emilia rises to the Sight
“In every Virtue, every Beauty bright!
“See those Love-darting Eyes, that heav'nly Mien!
“Behold her shine like Love's resistless Queen!
“Thou Fairest Wonder of thy fairest Kind,
“By Heav'n some Image of it self design'd!
“As if in thee it took peculiar Care,
“And form'd thee like some Favourite Seraph there!
“In every Virtue, every Beauty bright!
“See those Love-darting Eyes, that heav'nly Mien!
“Behold her shine like Love's resistless Queen!
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“By Heav'n some Image of it self design'd!
“As if in thee it took peculiar Care,
“And form'd thee like some Favourite Seraph there!
“But tho' thy Beauty strikes the ravish'd Sight,
“Thy Virtue shines distinguishingly bright!
“And all the Graces of thy Form combin'd,
“Yield to the Charms of thy unblemish'd Mind;
“Where all is spotless, gentle, and serene,
“One Calm of Life untouch'd by Guilt or Pain!
“Thy Virtue shines distinguishingly bright!
“And all the Graces of thy Form combin'd,
“Yield to the Charms of thy unblemish'd Mind;
“Where all is spotless, gentle, and serene,
“One Calm of Life untouch'd by Guilt or Pain!
“Could I in equal Lays thy Worth design,
“Or paint exalted Merit, such as thine!
“To latest Ages should thy Name survive,
“And in my Verse Emilia ever live;
“Th' admiring World should listen to thy Praise
“And the fair Portrait charm succeeding Days.
“Or paint exalted Merit, such as thine!
“To latest Ages should thy Name survive,
“And in my Verse Emilia ever live;
“Th' admiring World should listen to thy Praise
“And the fair Portrait charm succeeding Days.
| Translations and Poems Written on Several Subjects | |