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Poems and Songs

by Thomas Flatman. The Fourth Edition with many Additions and Amendments

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116

A DIALOGUE.

Chloris and Parthenissa.

C.
Why dost thou all address deny?
Hard hearted Parthenissa, why?
See how the trembling Lovers come,
That from thy lips expect their doom,

P.
Cloris! I hate them all, they know,
Nay I have often told them so;
Their silly Politicks abhorr'd:
I scorn to make my Slave my Lord:

C.
But Strephon's eyes proclaim his Love
Too brave, tyrannical to prove.

P.
Ah Cloris! when we lose our pow'r
We must obey the Conquerour.


117

C.
Yet where a Gentle Prince bears sway,
It is no bondage to obey.

P.
But if like Nero, for a while,
With arts of kindness he beguile;
How shall the Tyrant be withstood!
When he has writ his Laws in blood!

C.
Love, Parthenissa, all commands,
It fetters Kings in charming bands;
Mars yields his Arms to Cupid's darts,
And Beauty softens savage hearts,

Chorus.

If nothing else can pull the Tyrant down,
Kill him with kindness, and the day's your own.