The Powers of the Pen A poem addressed to John Curre ... By E. Lloyd ... The second edition, with large additions |
 |
 | The Powers of the Pen |  |
While she prepar'd to bid Adieu,
The Shopman on the Compter threw
A Pen, which to the Stump was worn,
And all its downy Honours torn.
She ask'd (as shopping Ladies do,
That on a Morning's ramble go)
Its price—not that she meant to buy,
But just for Curiosity—
“What call ye this? this Stump—a Pen?
“It cannot be”—then ask'd again,
The Shopman, as a Shopman ought,
When Goods are cheapen'd but not bought,
With Anger redden'd, and replied,
“Dear Madam, you were ne'er so wide;
“This Pen, (as many Things you know,
“Are ill defin'd by outward shew)
“This Pen, however maim'd it looks,
“Has given the World some charming Books.
“Few Pens distill their Verse so clear,
“So pleasing to a Lady's Ear—
“Its Tragedies wou'd do you Good,
“They raise no Fever in the Blood;
“Just make it simmer, never boil,
“With Lullabies as smooth as Oil—
“—But what may chiefly recommend
“To some, it can abuse a Friend,
“Can on an only Sister rail,
“Shou'd her superior Charms prevail;
“With Envy stung will blot each Grace,
“That revels in a Rival's Face,
“Will tear the Laurel from her Head,
“And place a Nettle in its stead;
“In Sisters Blood its point will stain,
“And wash it with false Tears again,
“As oft, when murder'd Victims bleed,
“They loudest weep who did the Deed.
“—‘But how to this maim'd Fragment worn?
“And whence its native Plumage torn?’
“The Shopman archly smil'd a Jest,
“But urg'd again, the Truth confest.
“Since all must out then I must own,
“This Quill has various Service known;
“At first it serv'd a Lord—no less—
“And pick'd the Teeth of H---
“Who in a frolick Mood, and gay,
“(The first of April was the Day)
“This boon, with quibbling Compliment,
“To his beloved Mason sent—.”
The Shopman on the Compter threw
A Pen, which to the Stump was worn,
And all its downy Honours torn.
38
That on a Morning's ramble go)
Its price—not that she meant to buy,
But just for Curiosity—
“What call ye this? this Stump—a Pen?
“It cannot be”—then ask'd again,
The Shopman, as a Shopman ought,
When Goods are cheapen'd but not bought,
With Anger redden'd, and replied,
“Dear Madam, you were ne'er so wide;
“This Pen, (as many Things you know,
“Are ill defin'd by outward shew)
“This Pen, however maim'd it looks,
“Has given the World some charming Books.
“Few Pens distill their Verse so clear,
“So pleasing to a Lady's Ear—
“Its Tragedies wou'd do you Good,
“They raise no Fever in the Blood;
“Just make it simmer, never boil,
“With Lullabies as smooth as Oil—
39
“To some, it can abuse a Friend,
“Can on an only Sister rail,
“Shou'd her superior Charms prevail;
“With Envy stung will blot each Grace,
“That revels in a Rival's Face,
“Will tear the Laurel from her Head,
“And place a Nettle in its stead;
“In Sisters Blood its point will stain,
“And wash it with false Tears again,
“As oft, when murder'd Victims bleed,
“They loudest weep who did the Deed.
“—‘But how to this maim'd Fragment worn?
“And whence its native Plumage torn?’
“The Shopman archly smil'd a Jest,
“But urg'd again, the Truth confest.
“Since all must out then I must own,
“This Quill has various Service known;
40
“And pick'd the Teeth of H---
“Who in a frolick Mood, and gay,
“(The first of April was the Day)
“This boon, with quibbling Compliment,
“To his beloved Mason sent—.”
| The Powers of the Pen | |