 | A Collection Of Poems |  |
145
To J. C. Esq
When shall I break the fav'rite Seal,
On which my Fingers love to dwell?
Which oft as eager I undo,
Welcome I cry, thrice welcome, Thou;
Whither with am'rous Story fraught,
Or glowing with some gen'rous Thought;
What e'er thou bring'st, or Wit, or News,
Gladly thy Paper Bonds I loose.
No news of Politicks or Plays,
Of Hessian Troops, or Operas?
Of Duels, Pamphlets, and all that,
On which we unfledg'd Statesmen Chat,
And with the Bead-roll alamode
Of Knave at home, and Fool abroad;
National Debts, and ruin'd Trade,
Treaties unmade, and Blunders made:
Run o'er the stupid Cant of Names,
And catch the Offals of St. James?
On which my Fingers love to dwell?
Which oft as eager I undo,
Welcome I cry, thrice welcome, Thou;
Whither with am'rous Story fraught,
Or glowing with some gen'rous Thought;
What e'er thou bring'st, or Wit, or News,
Gladly thy Paper Bonds I loose.
No news of Politicks or Plays,
Of Hessian Troops, or Operas?
Of Duels, Pamphlets, and all that,
On which we unfledg'd Statesmen Chat,
146
Of Knave at home, and Fool abroad;
National Debts, and ruin'd Trade,
Treaties unmade, and Blunders made:
Run o'er the stupid Cant of Names,
And catch the Offals of St. James?
Say, is it State Affairs or Love,
These mighty Alterations move?
What will thy Projects bring to pass,
Treaties of Marriage, or of Peace?
A speedy Truce, or dang'rous War,
Where th'Enemy no Terms will hear,
Where once engag'd in vain you yield,
Nor tho' disarm'd, dare quit the Field?
These mighty Alterations move?
What will thy Projects bring to pass,
Treaties of Marriage, or of Peace?
A speedy Truce, or dang'rous War,
Where th'Enemy no Terms will hear,
Where once engag'd in vain you yield,
Nor tho' disarm'd, dare quit the Field?
What e'er the mighty Cause, a Line
Sure cou'd not hurt the great Design.
To us Pedantick Folks a Letter,
Think'st thou 'twou'd spoil one modish Feature?
You might a vacant Hour purloin
From Balls, Ridottos, Ladies, Wine,
From Park or Play,—and condescend
To Scribble to your Country Friend.
Nor yet be wanting on your Duty,
Still thou mightst guard the fav'rite Beauty,
Nor less in publick Places shine,
Her Pride, the Envy of the Men.
Sure cou'd not hurt the great Design.
147
Think'st thou 'twou'd spoil one modish Feature?
You might a vacant Hour purloin
From Balls, Ridottos, Ladies, Wine,
From Park or Play,—and condescend
To Scribble to your Country Friend.
Nor yet be wanting on your Duty,
Still thou mightst guard the fav'rite Beauty,
Nor less in publick Places shine,
Her Pride, the Envy of the Men.
| A Collection Of Poems | |