University of Virginia Library

TO A LADY,

With a present of a Stilton Cheese.

These hasty lines, Madam, were first meant to greet you,
And then for a Favour will humbly intreat you,
Nay, hang all preamble—I plainly will ask it,
They're to beg you'll accept of the Cheese in this basket.
A Cheese for a Lady's an odd present truly!
And you'll think that we Templars have ne'er study'd duly
The Cases of Gallantry, or never saw
What the ablest of Judges have laid down as Law;
In Cupid's Reports, folio seventy-six,
Under Title Presentment this Doctrine they fix,
“If some token you'd offer the Fair, you should seek,
“Or the Rose, or the Lily, to rival her cheek,
“Or send her a Myrtle, or send her a Dove,
“As the emblem of Truth, or the image of Love.”—
This may sometimes be right,—but to further my suit
I've a Case on my Table that none can confute,
Brother Bayes has inform'd us, when Pallas came down
To befriend the Usurpers who stole Brentford's Crown,
When to Grief and Despair they were ready to yield,
She produc'd them a Cheese she had brought in her shield .—
Tis so fully in point, that with this thought I'll close,
“Sure that must be good which a Goddess bestows.”—
Nor be you offended she ne'er sent you one,
Consider what for you already is done;
If when in her Dairy, her Cheese she forgot,
Enough of her Favours are thrown to your lot.
Whilst you use them discreetly, you'll ne'er fail to please
And I'll still, as her proxy, transmit you the Cheese.