Poems, Songs and Love-Verses :: :: University of Virginia Library

Beautious Hersilia, those that rule above,
In you have plac'd so much Divinity,
That I am compell'd to tell you that I love,
And in those scorching Flames, alas! I fry.

O do not frown, nor yet divert your Eyes,
But let one loving glance prolong my end.
What Glory is it for you to defie
Your Slave, that you are bound for to defend?

Hers.

If Heaven in me had plac'd ought worthy love,
I shou'd have lik'd this Honour done by you;
But since 'tis only Fancy that does move,
'Twere base in me, to take what's not my due.

Or if I wou'd, I cannot ease you now;
Your fond desires you never can attain:
Think you a Votress will reject her Vow?
One of the Quiver-bearing Goddess Train?

Besides you may as well go Court a Saint
To leave her Heaven, and visit Earth agen,
As ever hope to move me by your 'plaint,
To taste the sorrows that attend on Men.

Dar.

Here comes the mighty Dares, Madam, chuse
The solid Oak, or else this slender Reed,
Which if I touch, I instantly shou'd bruise;
Yet such an Act would make my Honour bleed.

I love, and will enjoy; nay, be not Coy;
Were mighty Turnus, or Æneas here,
I'd not defer one moment to enjoy.
A noble courage scorns to stoop to fear.

Thou art mine by Heaven, and were the Gods unkind,
As not to aid me, if I should desire;
I'd search their Palaces, and there I'd find
A subtler Flame than was Prometheus Fire.

With this I'd gain thy Love, or else compel
Thy stubborn Fancy to obey my will;
Nay, more, I'd ransack the abiss of Hell;
The Stygian Prince shou'd my Commands fullfil.

Hers.

Though you're so proud to menace, know that I
Do neither fear, nor yet respect your force;
My Virgin honour's able to defie
The furious Current of your mighty Course.

If Heaven and Earth were all at thy Command,
And I alone thy Bondage did deny,
My Chastity is able to withstand
The Rage of thy audacious Tyranny.

Besides, the Gods, (who thy malicious Tongue
Has glory'd in upbraiding thus)
Would with a Thunder-bolt prevent the wrong,
And send thee headlong into Erebus.

Chorus.

So have I seen a lofty Cedar stand
Amidst a Cops of Shrubs and ragged Trees:
Her lofty Top did wave, when gently fann'd
And Courted by Favonius milder breeze.

But when in Storms the angry North did frown,
Threat'ning the ruin of her lofty Pride,
She scorn'd to veil unto the angry Clown,
Her sollid strength did all her force deride.