Poems and Songs | ||
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
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.
Poems and Songs | ||