The Works of John Hall-Stevenson ... Corrected and Enlarged. With Several Original Poems, Now First Printed, and Explanatory Notes. In Three Volumes |
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BOOK II. ODE VIII. |
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 | The Works of John Hall-Stevenson |  |
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BOOK II. ODE VIII.
To NELLY OBRIEN.
I would believe you once again,
Were you a tooth or nail the worse
For every oath you take in vain,
And every violated curse:
Were you a tooth or nail the worse
For every oath you take in vain,
And every violated curse:
Though you bid Jasus fire your bones,
Confound yourself and all your kin;
Blast those bright eyes like precious stones;
Damn Helen's limbs and Leda's skin,
Confound yourself and all your kin;
Blast those bright eyes like precious stones;
Damn Helen's limbs and Leda's skin,
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False and forsworn a thousand times,
Obrien's still the public toast,
Still grows more lovely from her crimes,
Godby's intrigue and Welche's boast.
Obrien's still the public toast,
Still grows more lovely from her crimes,
Godby's intrigue and Welche's boast.
Thy perjury and subtle arts,
Venus and Cupid smiling view;
Fell love that whets with blood his darts,
On whetstone of infernal blue .
Venus and Cupid smiling view;
Fell love that whets with blood his darts,
On whetstone of infernal blue .
For thee our youth shoot up and grow;
Each day adds captives to thy store;
Nor can the old exhausted beau
Forbear to hanker at thy door.
Each day adds captives to thy store;
Nor can the old exhausted beau
Forbear to hanker at thy door.
Mothers and misers fear thee still;
Young beauteous brides are in alarms,
Lest thy maturer charms and skill
Should draw their husbands to thy arms.
Young beauteous brides are in alarms,
Lest thy maturer charms and skill
Should draw their husbands to thy arms.
| The Works of John Hall-Stevenson | |