The Works of Peter Pindar [i.e. John Wolcot] ... With a Copious Index. To which is prefixed Some Account of his Life. In Four Volumes |
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| XIV. | ODE XIV. |
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 | The Works of Peter Pindar [i.e. John Wolcot] |  |
204
ODE XIV.
Ah! could you wish your president
to change?
Ah! could you, Pagans, after false Gods range?
Swop solid Reynolds for that shadow West?
In love-affairs variety's no sin—
Trav'lers may change at any time their inn—
Here 'tis paint-blasphemy, I do protest.
Ah! could you, Pagans, after false Gods range?
Swop solid Reynolds for that shadow West?
In love-affairs variety's no sin—
Trav'lers may change at any time their inn—
Here 'tis paint-blasphemy, I do protest.
In love's warm regions I should like, I own,
'Midst diff'rent climes to fix my throne:
David's physicians order'd change of dame —
And, lo! t'improve our cows, we bid 'em pass
Into variety of grass—
With bulls, I guess, th' advantage is the same.
'Midst diff'rent climes to fix my throne:
David's physicians order'd change of dame —
And, lo! t'improve our cows, we bid 'em pass
Into variety of grass—
With bulls, I guess, th' advantage is the same.
And as I Monsieur Cupidon employ,
To manufacture pieces of my joy,
I would not mad run counter to the fashion:
A little Sylvia, with the sweetest smile,
Possesses power some moments to beguile,
And in Elysium lap the prettiest passion.
To manufacture pieces of my joy,
I would not mad run counter to the fashion:
A little Sylvia, with the sweetest smile,
Possesses power some moments to beguile,
And in Elysium lap the prettiest passion.
But not toujours perdrix—the vulgar thing!
Then pleasure soon would spread her wanton wing:
No! no! variety the game must start—
Come oft, and make her curt'sy to my heart;
And, like the orange girls, my taste to suit,
Cry, ‘Choice of fruit—fine fruit, sir—choice of fruit.’
Then pleasure soon would spread her wanton wing:
No! no! variety the game must start—
Come oft, and make her curt'sy to my heart;
And, like the orange girls, my taste to suit,
Cry, ‘Choice of fruit—fine fruit, sir—choice of fruit.’
205
Dull Constancy is quite a quaker's hat,
So formal! changeless in its great broad brim:
Variety's a fine young playful cat—
A hopeful imp of spirit, sport, and whim;
Who, when all other objects fail,
Runs after its own tail.
So formal! changeless in its great broad brim:
Variety's a fine young playful cat—
A hopeful imp of spirit, sport, and whim;
Who, when all other objects fail,
Runs after its own tail.
| The Works of Peter Pindar [i.e. John Wolcot] | |