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Matthew Prior. Dialogues of the Dead and Other Works

in Prose and Verse. The Text Edited by A. R. Waller

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THE ADVICE OF VENUS.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
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THE ADVICE OF VENUS.

Thus to the Muses Spoke the Cyprian-Dame;
Adorn my altars, and revere my name.
My Son shall else assume his potent darts,
Twang goes the bow, my Girls, have at your hearts.

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The Muses answer'd,—Venus we deride,
The Vagrant's malice, and his Mother's pride.
Send him to Nymphs who sleep on Ida's shade,
To the loose dance, and wanton masquerade:
Our thoughts are setled, and intent our look,
On the instructive verse, and moral book;
On female idleness his pow'r relies,
But when he finds us studying-hard he flies.