University of Virginia Library

Female Epistles OF LOVE.

Deidamia to Achilles.

Epist. I.

Read this Achilles, and be griev'd to see
How Deidamia Mourns, and Mourns for thee,
Read, and then think who must the Author be.
Who, but fond I, would the weak Passion tell?
Fond, foolish I, who Love you, too, too well.
You seem to doubt, and in amaze you stand,
Having my Heart, you needs must know my Hand.
What here you find, my dear desires indite,
Ah! kindly read, what I too kindly write.
Nought but her tender wishes thus could move
Thy Deidamia to confess her Love.
Nor need I blush the noblest Flame to own,
I boast I yielded, since to thee alone.
To thee, whose Charms, wound tender Virgins far;
O may you so be prosp'rous in the War.
May you Victorious, and Triumphant be,
And Conquer all, as you have Conquer'd me;
But let no Laurel shades about you rise,
To bar the glances of my longing Eyes,
Their sacred wreaths can free from thunder live,
But not from flashes Beauty's light'nings give.
I'll think you not a Lover, while I sue,
But call you Warriour, the Name's dear to you.
Ah! then, be gen'rous to the yielding Foe,
I have surrender'd to your Arms, you know.
Proud of submitting to Achilles, more
Than all the Conquests I had gain'd before.
When I was gaz'd at by a Noble Crowd,
And other Princes with Submission bow'd.
When, all around, far as my Eyes could see,
There was no Youth but would my Captive be,
Then, then it was, I gave my Heart to thee.
I gave thee that, I gave thee all my Soul,
Gave Deidamia, you possess'd her whole.
My Virgin spoils I offer'd to thy Arms,
The Thought alas! My tender Bosom warms,
You rifled all my Beauties, all my Charms.
My dearest Treasures, and my Richest stores
Were all your own, and I was wholly yours.
To my lov'd Bed, full of a Vig'rous flame,
Dress'd like a Woman, oft Achilles came.
Your publick Gestures still did Female show,
But, when in private, sure they were not so.
My Maids of thee were in no sort afraid,
For they believe thee, like themselves, a Maid.
Think, in what sweet, what soft, and wanton play,
Lock'd in my Arms, you past the Hours away!
Alas! My Love, writing these tender Words,
The very Thought some Extasies affords.
Some faint Emotions of my Soul it frames,
All our past Pleasures now appear but Dreams.
Ah! Lovely Youth, oft in my Widow'd Bed,
I think of you, and wonder why you fled;
Admire, that War should so delightful be,
To make it's Horrours be prefer'd to me.
I thought my Voice Breath'd far more pleasing Ayres,
Than the shrill Trumpets could Proclaim in theirs.
Why should you rashly Combat in the Field?
And slight such spoils as I would gladly yield.
There you must hazard, and buy Conquest dear,
When all your business was to triumph here.
Ah! Come again, once more, my Life, return,
To comfort me, who now extreamly Mourn.
How should I Joy to hear what you have done,
To hear of Battles by your Valour won!
To hear your self, in my Embraces, tell,
How such a Hero in the onset fell.
Then would I clasp thee closely to my Breast,
And Sigh, and Kiss thee, more securely prest,
And, still endearing, lull you so to rest.
Hast then, Achilles, from the Battle flee,
And join in Combat with no Foe, but me.

A Lady to her Lover.

Epist. II.

To you, (false Man) I make my suff'rings known,
Whom once I thought I could have call'd my own.
'Tis only you, who should these lines receive.
Who us'd to Mourn, when I had cause to grieve.
Scarce can my Life of this sad change allow,
When you torment, who shall redress me now?
How many Lovers have I scorn'd for thee,
And is your falshood my reward?—
Speak, thou ingrateful Man!—It cannot be.
When you at first your greater Rivals knew,
And how the meanest far exceeded you,
Full of Despair, lay'd Prostrate at my Feet,
You cry'd, ah! Can you, Can you Love me yet?
No, you will Titles, and their Lords receive,
An honest Love is all that I can give.
The great are false, but I sincerely true,
Ah! Treach'rous Man! Who is so false as you?
Who could have thought this wond'rous change to see,
How can you live so far apart from me!
Here, my Companions think my Mourning strange,
And wonder whence proceeds the dismal change.
Hiding my Sorrows, they their cause explore,
So, by concealing, I reveal them more.
How do they rage, when they the story know;
Yet then, ev'n then, I speak excusing you.
I first Condemn you, call you false, and then
I fondly plead in your behalf again.
Thus arguing for you, I impeach you more,
And make your guilt seem Blacker than before.
Then, in my Soul strange wild disorders move,
With anxious struglings between grief and Love.
A new Confusion in my looks appears,
And, Naming you, I strait dissolve to Tears.
My swimming Eyes can then no object view,
What should they look at, since depriv'd of you!
Since to the North from all your Vows you flee,
And left the City, but to hast from me.
To that cold Air you fled with just design,
A place most fit for such a Breast as thine.
It's Chilling coldness I unjustly blame,
And fear it's Frost less than a New-Born flame.
Ye Northern Beauties, his Embraces shun,
Or yield, like me, to be, like me, undone.
Laugh at his Sighs, and tell the Cheat he lies,
Curse his false Tongue, and his deluding Eyes.
Too late alas! We our Misfortunes see,
There are no Oaths he has not Sworn to me,
Ye heedless Maids, I charge ye, ne'er believe,
He makes it all his business to deceive.
Least my Misfortunes other Virgins prove,
O let them ne'er confess Excessive Love.
My self I blame that I did e'er believe,
For in all Ages your whole Sex deceive.
The Treach'rous Jason, basely perjur'd, fled,
From the Fair Mistress, whom he first did Wed,
And left her's falsly, for Medea's Bed.
Spight of the Winds, which bore his Sails away,
He was more Faithless in his Flight than they.
The injur'd Princess, who first shar'd his Love,
Should by her Rival's Death her wrongs remove,
And to Medea a Medea prove.
She, by her spells, did the fierce Serpents tame,
And still her Charms for Triumph were the same,
She Conquer'd him, as he the Bulls o'ercame.
But soon, from her did the inconstant run,
She found her self, spight of her Arts, undone;
She could the Dragons baleful Fires asswage,
But Fires more fatal in her Breast did rage,
With Poppies Juice in vain she steeps her Eyes,
In vain those spells, which made them sleep, she tries,
All ease, all quiet with her Lover flies.
Proud, and Triumphant, he forsook the shore,
A monster, worse than those he slew before.
The wand'rer next was by Creusa fir'd,
Like thee, false Jason to new Flames aspir'd;
With his rich prize the Villain falsly fled,
And scorn'd Medea's, for Creusa's Bed.
So, am I left abandon'd to despair,
And your Creusa is your present Fair.
He, bore a glorious purchase from the Coast,
But of what Golden Fleece have you to boast?
In vain you with my slender Fortunes flee,
Alas! I lost them all, in losing thee.
Gemms I despise, I can such trifles scorn,
But 'tis my much priz'd honour that I mourn,
For that's a Jewel thou can'st ne'er return.
O may no Virgin be o'ercome by Love;
Man, should he strive, can never Constant prove,
More than I ought, I would thy shame rebate,
And lay my wrongs, not upon you, but fate.
Fame speaks of Nymphs by their false Lovers lost,
Men first submit, but after, Triumph most.
I could an hundred instances renew
Of Treach'rous Men, but none so base as you.
With Vows Achilles did Briseis please,
But Vows as Faithless as his Mother Seas.
While Phaon to hot Ætna's Mount retires,
His Sappho wasted with as scorching fires.
Fair Dejanira of her Lord complains,
Griev'd that the Victor wore his Captive's Chains.
Alcides once put Women's Garments on,
When his vast Club he to a distaff spun;
The Lyon's rugged skin his Mistress wore,
She Conquer'd him, as he the Beast before.
Æneas, sure, from Rocks, or Oceans came,
His Breast so cold, it could not feel a flame;
By the false Wretch fond Dido was undone;
Love's Mother could not sure bear such a Son:
In vain to Cupid did the Queen complain,
She pray'd him pierce his Brother's Heart in vain:
Got by a Tempest, and on Billows born,
He would, in hast, to his Lov'd Seas return.
False Men should fear the loud, insulting Tides,
The Queen of Love rose thence, and there presides.
Why should his Gods, as if by curs'd decree,
In Waters sink, when from the fires got free?
He had a Deity to guide his way,
The same, no doubt, that steer'd him on the Sea.
With that pretence, he left her slighted Coast,
But of what guiding God have you to Boast?
Yes, 'twas a mighty Pow'r your will controul'd,
A Pow'r which Reigns o'er Men, Immortal Gold.
And now another Virgin you have won,
That other Nymph must be, like me, undone.
I wish my Rival could foresee her fate,
Alas! She will repent, when 'tis too late,
So much I pity her, I cannot hate.
She soon, (Poor Innocence!) by scorn opprest,
Will grow as Wretched, as she now seems blest.
Soon will you leave the Sighing Maid behind,
Her Sighs, alas! will but encrease the Wind.
Methinks, I see you fly with Treach'rous Gales,
Loos'ning your Vows, Just as you loose your Sails,
You, the proud Sun of Love, a while Shine bright,
Then, set in Seas, and leave behind you Night.
But, Ah! beware what watry Course you Steer,
Shun Scylla's Rocks, nor dare to venture near,
Ingrateful Men should still her Vengeance fear.
And let me warn you, (for the time is nigh,)
When you shall falsly from my Rival fly,
Take leave at least, nor use your treach'rous tongue,
Just as you did, when round my Neck you hung,
And long-breath'd Kisses meant your staying long.
Tell her how lost she is, your flight declare,
Be honest once, and tell how false you are.
Tell her she never can from care be free'd,
Never, Ah! never, that's Despair indeed.
Oh! Could you know, false Man, what I have born,
Tho' Man you be, you would at last return;
In want, and Sickness I have spent my days,
Not Heav'n, or Earth, but you can give me ease.
In a hot, raging Feaver have I lain,
But why, unkind! should I to thee complain!
Thou wilt rejoice, and Triumph in my pain.
The fierce desease Burn't me with scorching Heat,
It was thy coldness did it's Fires Create.
Yet not so Wild were the last Flames I bore,
As those you kindled in my Breast before.
My Am'rous Fires, spight of your scorn, could lay
Their Sicklier rage, and make their warmth decay.
Where were you then? Where was my Lover fled?
Who should have sat all pensive by my Bed,
And in my Bosom lay'd his Mournful head.
His Weeping Eyes should pour such Constant streams,
As should have force to quench the inward Flames,
Feeling my Pulse, you, Languishing, and Pin'd,
Should have from thence of your own Health Divin'd.
Like me, Cydippe in a Feaver burn'd,
But her's rag'd less, for she had ne'er been scorn'd.
Her Beauteous Cheeks consum'd, and livid grew,
Her Colour such, as she before did view
In the Fair Apple, which her Lover threw.
Ah! Could it be, that you could Faithful prove,
I should no Feaver know—but that of Love.
And could I find where my dear Traytor flies,
My flames should dart like light'ning thro' my eyes,
And melt the Ice, which round your Bosom lies.
So far at least I know my Charms could move,
That I could force you to Dissemble Love.
But now, alas! no more must I receive
Those flowing Joys, which you so well could give.
No more my bliss, no more my Life I boast,
When I lost thee, all that was dear I lost.
Where any Nymph becomes so curs'd as I
The only business of her Life's to die.
About my Neck I'll cast a Silken twine,
That Neck, oft clasp'd by those dear Arms of thine.
My lofty Posts my Wretched weight shall bear,
For thee I'll offer up my latest pray'r,
And hang the Trophie of thy Conquest there.
Yet, I should live, for if my Doom were past,
Heav'n would show'r Vengeance on thy Head at last.
Ah! Perjur'd Man! my ease, my Peace restore,
Give me my Heart, and I demand no more.
Return my own, I shall not vainly sue
To be again belov'd, and dear to you.
Yet, know (false Wretch!) if e'er you dare to wed,
My Ghost shall haunt you in your Nuptial Bed.
No other Fair one shall a sharer be,
Of that dear bliss you once enjoy'd with me;
Tho' you all Love, and she all over Charms,
You ne'er shall clasp her in your Burning Arms.
Whilst Vengeance Prompts me, its effects I'll shew,
Great as the wrongs I have receiv'd of you.
And sure those Pow'rs which heard you falsly Swear,
Will now redress me, when I make my pray'r;
Their Names prophan'd, what Mischiefs may you dread!
Curs't, while alive, they will torment you dead.
Should I avert the Justice they design,
It were my pity, no desert of thine.
Ah! Lovely Traytor! should you yet be true,
I could, methinks, bear an Esteem for you.
One Look, one Sigh, would yet my Passion move,
And Fan the faint, expiring Sparks of Love.
Ah! Where's the hope? I am to write forbid,
Your self forbid me, it was you that did.
Void of a tender Sense to know the pain.
Of absent Lovers, when they wait in vain,
And all their Anxious Thoughts, till met again.
Thy latest Words, hence (thou ingrateful!) know;
Yours I depart, to return ever so.
Nay more, you Wept, by Heav'ns, the haughty you,
Whlist round my Neck your Treach'rous Arms you threw,
And Wip'd my Eyes, for I was Weeping too.
Think on those things, those tender things you said,
Those Oaths you Swore, to Cheat an easy Maid.
When, all the Night, lock'd in my Arms you lay.
And past, in transports, the short Hours away.
Base, Sordid Soul! Which nought that's soft could move,
No dear Remembrance can recall your Love.
When, for Heav'n's sake, you beg'd me Crown your Flame,
I was not sure, despis'd, as now I am.
How many Curses did you wish for then,
If you could ever think one fair again!
When at that time (you perjur'd slave!) I hear,
You had, and lov'd a Mistress, where you are.
One, by whose Gold your Heart is made her prize,
Nor are her Slaves the Trophies of her Eyes.
'Twas Gold that did your sordid Soul subdue,
And that, which hires her Servants, Conquer'd you.
Whilst I, more Nobly, scorn'd such Empty gain,
Nor Sold my Love for less than Love again.
I thought I did so, but too late I know,
I both am Cheated, and despis'd by you.
My right you give to her you now adore,
And Swear again what oft to me you Swore.
She too, like me, will soon complain of you,
The same, ingrateful Man will make her Wretched too.
Then, tell of all the Conquests you have won,
Speak to the wond'ring Crowd, where'er you run,
And name two tender Maids, by your damn'd Wiles undone.
But tell not how they slight, and hate thee too,
And, if they live, will be reveng'd on you.
No Fiend in Hell can such a Fury prove,
As a wrong'd Woman, one that's wrong'd in Love.

Scylla to Minos.

Epist. III.

Hence Triumph, Warrior, hence new Conquests see,
Tho' not our Forts, yet, you have Vanquish'd me.
I am subdu'd by Minos Godlike Charms,
And you may Triumph in your Captive's Arms.
It is my fate to Love my Father's Foe,
I had not known him, had he not been so.
Oft have I seen you Marching from afar,
Wielding your Sword, then resting on your Spear,
While your Cask's Noding Feathers threatned War.
Oft I beheld you in the dusty Field,
And was alas! with every Gesture kill'd.
On our High Walls oft do I wishing stand,
And bless the Launce Grasp'd in your vig'rous hand.
Your shining Arms the longing Scylla views,
And likes and praises all that Minos does.
Well might your Mother's Charms a God subdue,
If she knew ever how to Charm like you.
The Thund'rer sure had his Europa won,
Had he but seem'd like her too Beauteous Son,
By whose dear Eyes poor Scylla is undone.
Oft, as I sat on our fam'd Tow'rs on high,
Often, My Lord, has Scylla wish'd to fly
To your dear Arms, when I beheld you nigh.
How, How alas! shall I be e'er restor'd?
Or how shall Scylla e'er enjoy her Lord?
Mad with desires, I think in what disguise
Shall I find out the Tent, where Minos lies;
How meet the dear disturber of my ease,
And tell the Charmer whom his Beauties please.
Fain would I now betray the Gates to you,
And yield my Country to a potent foe;
Alas! Poor Scylla knows not what to do.
I fear in War dear Minos should be slain,
For, Oh! I doubt he has not Pow'r to gain.
Our Brazen Gates will all his glories bar,
Not to be storm'd ev'n by the God of War.
Oft have I wish'd I were your Captive made,
And the dear Bribe for your Alliance paid.
Then might rough War, and barb'rous slaughter cease,
Minos be blest with Scylla, and with Peace.
But ah! too much, I doubt, my Hero dares,
Nor fears Misfortunes in revengeful Wars,
Oh! tho' he does not, yet his Scylla fears.
Tell me, My Lord, my dearest Minos, tell,
Declare to me, who Love you too, too well,
If, for my Country, for my Virgin-Bed,
My Father's Hair, Nay, for my Father's Head,
For Shrines, for Temples, tho' the seats of Jove,
Will you, Dear, Charming Minos, Crown my Love?