 | Poems on Several Occasions |  |
145
To Olinda, taken ill with a Fever at the same time that I recover'd of one.
Cruel Disease! that wouldst no longer stay
With me, thy worthless but thy willing Prey.
Olinda, now, is made thy fatal aim,
A Nymph, as beautiful as Thought can frame.
With me, thy worthless but thy willing Prey.
Olinda, now, is made thy fatal aim,
A Nymph, as beautiful as Thought can frame.
Oh! spare my Friend, from her lov'd Breast remove,
And mine will gladly all thy Torments prove.
Thou with unbounded Tyranny may'st reign,
And spread Infection thro' each boiling Vein.
And mine will gladly all thy Torments prove.
Thou with unbounded Tyranny may'st reign,
And spread Infection thro' each boiling Vein.
But, oh! be that engaging Fair unharm'd,
Who ev'ry Age and either Sex has charm'd.
How canst thou, with malignant Ills, design,
To blast a Form, where all the Graces shine.
Who ev'ry Age and either Sex has charm'd.
146
To blast a Form, where all the Graces shine.
Oh Death! thou mighty Prince of Shades, from whom
Distempers, quick-destroying, ever come:
From Thee proceeds the dark and dismal Scene,
For if no Death, there had no Sickness been.
Distempers, quick-destroying, ever come:
From Thee proceeds the dark and dismal Scene,
For if no Death, there had no Sickness been.
Diseases are thy Slaves, which at thy Will
Torment, or spare, or (if thou pleasest) kill.
But hear, and grant this one Request I make,
Oh! spare Olinda for Maria's sake.
Torment, or spare, or (if thou pleasest) kill.
But hear, and grant this one Request I make,
Oh! spare Olinda for Maria's sake.
Deep in my Bosom fix thy keenest Dart,
And dip its Feathers in my bleeding Heart.
But ah! forbear that tender Breast to wound,
Where Friendship is in full Perfection found.
And dip its Feathers in my bleeding Heart.
But ah! forbear that tender Breast to wound,
Where Friendship is in full Perfection found.
147
Great King of Terrors! spare the faithful Maid,
I'll be a free-will Off'ring in her stead.
I'll be a free-will Off'ring in her stead.
| Poems on Several Occasions | |