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Poems (1791)

Smart, Christopher (1722-1771)

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[section]
expand sectionI. 
VOL I.
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VOL. II.
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FABLES.
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BALLADS.
 I. 
SWEET WILLIAM.
 II. 
The LASS with the GOLDEN LOCKS.
 III. 
On my WIFE's BIRTH-DAY.
 IV. 
The DECISION.
 V. 
Tho TALKATIVE FAIR.
 VI. 
The SILENT FAIR.
 VII. 
The FORCE of INNOCENCE.
 VIII. 
The DISTRESSED DAMSEL.
 IX. 
The FAIR RECLUSE.
 X. 
To Miss --- one of the Chichester Graces.
 XI. 
LOVELY HARRIOT,
 XII. 
To JENNY GRAY.
 XIII. 
To Miss KITTY BENNET and her Cat Crop.
 XIV. 
The PRETTY BAR-KEEPER of the MITRE.
 XV. 
The WIDOW's RESOLUTION.
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EPISTLES.
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EPIGRAMS.
  
To the Right Hon. Earl of Darlington, on his being appointed Paymaster of his Majesty's Forces.
  
On the Death of Master Newbery, after a lingering Illness.
  
Epitaph on the Rev. Mr. Reynolds, at St. Peter's in the Isle of Thanet.
  
To my worthy Friend Mr. T. B one of the People called Quakers.
  
On seeing the Picture of Miss R--- G---N. Drawn by Mr. Varelst, of Threadneedle-street.
  
An Invitation to Mrs. Tyler, a Clergyman's Lady, to dine upon a Couple of Ducks on the Anniversary of the Authors Wedding-Day.
  
To MISS S--- P---E.
  
After Dining with Mr. MURRAY.
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INSCRIPTIONS ON AN ÆOLIAN HARP.
  
The Long-Nosed Fair.
  
The PRETTY CHAMBERMAID:
  
The famous general EPITAPH
  
THE HORATIAN CANONS OF FRIENDSHIP.
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An occasional Prologue and Epilogue to Othello, as it was acted at the Theatre-Royal in Drury-Lane, on Thursday the 7th of March, 1751, by Persons of Distinction for their Diversion.
  
EPILOGUE TO THE APPRENTICE.
  
EPILOGUE Spoken by Mr. Shuter, at Covent Garden, after the Play of the CONSCIOUS LOVERS, acted for the Benefit of the Middlesex Hospital for Lying-in Women, 1755, in the Character of a Man-Midwife.

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The DECISION.

BALLAD IV.

I

My Florio, wildest of his sex,
(Who sure the veriest saint wou'd vex)
From beauty roves to beauty;
Yet, tho' abroad the wanton roam,
Whene'er he deigns to stay at home,
He always minds his duty.

II

Something to every charming she,
In thoughtless prodigality,
He's granting still and granting,
To Phyllis that, to Cloe this,
And every madam, every miss;
Yet I find nothing wanting.

III

If haply I his will displease,
Tempestuous as th'autumnal seas
He foams and rages ever;
55

But when he ceases from his ire,
I cry, such spirit, and such fire,
Is surely wond'rous clever.

IV

I ne'er want reason to complain;
But sweet is pleasure after pain,
And every joy grows greater.
Then trust me, damsels, whilst I tell,
I should not like him half so well,
If I cou'd make him better.
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