 | Poems on Affairs of State |  |
453
The Tunbridge Prodigy.
Written by a Lady.
Protect our State, and let our Marlbro' thrive,
Keep our crown'd Heads this wondrous Year alive;
Preserve our Palaces from Wind and Flame,
Safe be our Fleets, and be our Scotchmen tame.
Avert, kind Fate! whate'er th'Event may prove,
For here's a PRODIGY, a Man in LOVE.
Wasted and pale he languishes in Sight,
And spends in am'rous Verse the sleepless Night.
Whilst happier Youths to careless Spirits born,
View the Distress with Pity or with Scorn;
And Maids so long unus'd to be ador'd,
Think it portends the Pestilence or Sword.
Keep our crown'd Heads this wondrous Year alive;
Preserve our Palaces from Wind and Flame,
Safe be our Fleets, and be our Scotchmen tame.
Avert, kind Fate! whate'er th'Event may prove,
For here's a PRODIGY, a Man in LOVE.
Wasted and pale he languishes in Sight,
And spends in am'rous Verse the sleepless Night.
Whilst happier Youths to careless Spirits born,
View the Distress with Pity or with Scorn;
And Maids so long unus'd to be ador'd,
Think it portends the Pestilence or Sword.
How chang'd is Britain to the blooming Fair!
Whom now the Men no longer make their Care,
But of Indifference arrogantly boast,
And scarce the Wine gets down a Buckworth for a Toast.
Not so (as still their Works declare) it prov'd
When Spencer, Sydney, and when Waller lov'd;
And with soft Numbers wing'd resistless Darts,
Nor thought their Passion less'ning to their Parts.
Whom now the Men no longer make their Care,
But of Indifference arrogantly boast,
And scarce the Wine gets down a Buckworth for a Toast.
Not so (as still their Works declare) it prov'd
When Spencer, Sydney, and when Waller lov'd;
And with soft Numbers wing'd resistless Darts,
Nor thought their Passion less'ning to their Parts.
Then let such Patterns countenance his Fire,
Whom Love and Verse do now afresh inspire,
'Gainst all who blame, or at his State admire.
Whom Love and Verse do now afresh inspire,
'Gainst all who blame, or at his State admire.
And learn ye Nymphs how to regain your Sway,
And make this stubborn Sex once more obey.
Call back the Fugitives by modest Pride,
And let them die with Fear to be deny'd.
Stay till their Courtship may deserve the Name,
And take not every Look for Love and Flame.
To Mercenary Ends no Charms imploy,
Nor stake your Smiles against some raffled Toy.
For every Fop lay not th'insnaring Train,
Nor lose the Worthy to allure the Vain.
Keep at due distance all Attempts of Bliss,
Nor let a Whisper seem to steal a Kiss.
Dance not upon the Green but with some Swain,
Whose long Endeavours may your Favour gain.
Nor be transported when some Trifler's View
Directs his giddy Choice to light on you.
Amend whatever may your Charms disgrace,
And trust not wholly to a conquering Face.
Nor be your Motions rude, coquet, or wild,
Shuffling or lame as if in nursing spoil'd.
Slight not th'advantage of a graceful Mien,
Tho Paris judg'd the Prize to Beauty's Queen,
When Juno mov'd, Venus could scarce be seen.
And make this stubborn Sex once more obey.
Call back the Fugitives by modest Pride,
And let them die with Fear to be deny'd.
Stay till their Courtship may deserve the Name,
And take not every Look for Love and Flame.
454
Nor stake your Smiles against some raffled Toy.
For every Fop lay not th'insnaring Train,
Nor lose the Worthy to allure the Vain.
Keep at due distance all Attempts of Bliss,
Nor let a Whisper seem to steal a Kiss.
Dance not upon the Green but with some Swain,
Whose long Endeavours may your Favour gain.
Nor be transported when some Trifler's View
Directs his giddy Choice to light on you.
Amend whatever may your Charms disgrace,
And trust not wholly to a conquering Face.
Nor be your Motions rude, coquet, or wild,
Shuffling or lame as if in nursing spoil'd.
Slight not th'advantage of a graceful Mien,
Tho Paris judg'd the Prize to Beauty's Queen,
When Juno mov'd, Venus could scarce be seen.
Assert your Power in Paradise begun,
Born to undo, be not your selves undone,
Contemn'd and cheap, as easy to be won.
But if like Sov'reigns you maintain your Ground,
The Rebels at your Feet will soon be found.
And when with such Authority you move,
No new Surprize, no Prodigy 'twill prove
To see one Man, or the whole Race in Love.
Born to undo, be not your selves undone,
Contemn'd and cheap, as easy to be won.
But if like Sov'reigns you maintain your Ground,
The Rebels at your Feet will soon be found.
And when with such Authority you move,
No new Surprize, no Prodigy 'twill prove
To see one Man, or the whole Race in Love.
| Poems on Affairs of State | |