Poems on several subjects | ||
SONG XV.
[In former ages, when]
In former ages, when
Dame Nature bore the sway,
All thought 't a pleasure then
Her precepts to obey.
Love wantonly did play
In pure simplicity;
His wounding darts made way
'Mong high and low degree.
Dame Nature bore the sway,
All thought 't a pleasure then
Her precepts to obey.
Love wantonly did play
In pure simplicity;
His wounding darts made way
'Mong high and low degree.
37
Wit, beauty, virtue, where
Young Cupid found these three,
He aim'd his arrows there,
Through all difficulty:
In wealth no merit he,
Nor Hymen, ere did place;
Unstain'd felicity
Shin'd then in every face.
Young Cupid found these three,
He aim'd his arrows there,
Through all difficulty:
In wealth no merit he,
Nor Hymen, ere did place;
Unstain'd felicity
Shin'd then in every face.
A maid upon the plain
Could then affection move;
Princes would not disdain
To chuse such for their love:
By int'rest none was drove
Gainst Nature's laws to wed;
An instinct given by Jove;
All by nought else were led.
Could then affection move;
Princes would not disdain
To chuse such for their love:
By int'rest none was drove
Gainst Nature's laws to wed;
An instinct given by Jove;
All by nought else were led.
But age and toil, we see,
These gods have stupify'd;
So that no honesty
In all their deeds are spy'd:
Old Hymen's knots are ty'd
Unequal, now a-days;
Wealth beautifies the bride,
Though worthy of no praise.
These gods have stupify'd;
So that no honesty
In all their deeds are spy'd:
Old Hymen's knots are ty'd
Unequal, now a-days;
Wealth beautifies the bride,
Though worthy of no praise.
Poems on several subjects | ||