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University of Virginia Library

Familiar letters and poems on several occasions

By Mary Masters

Masters, Mary (ca. 1706-ca. 1759)

Familiar Letters, &c.

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POEMS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS.

On the Nativity of our BLESSED SAVIOUR.

To Miss H--- on her Marriage with Captain J---.

An Answer to an Epistle sent me by a Gentleman on the Death of his Father.

On hearing a Sermon preached by the Reverend Mr ---.

My Love describ'd to CAMILLA.

To the same on her telling me a very acceptable piece of News.

An EPISTLE to ---

A Second Epistle to the Same.

The Rose and other Flowers, a Tale; inscribed to a young Lady.

The ATOM and WASP; or Pride mortified.

Casim. Lib. i. Ode 2.

The various Pursuits of Mankind.

CATULLUS to LESBIA.

An Imitation of the foregoing Verses, by way of Reply.

Wrote immediately upon seeing the Behaviour of a Jealous Husband.

An EPIGRAM on a Person who constantly drinks a Dram when he goes to Prayers.

Verses sent by a Gentleman to the Author, desiring an Answer.

To the Gentleman who sent the above Verses.

An EXTEMPORE THOUGHT.

Return'd in Answer to a poetical Compliment from Miss ---

Wrote some Months after the Prince of Wales's Death.

Four Speeches for four Boys, &c.

To the Ladies at ---, having pass'd one Day with them.

To a Friend who tax'd me with too much Zeal in blaming her Fondness to an unworthy Lover.

To Miss ---, on her Birth-Day, at a Time when she was much distress'd.

Sent to a young Lady in Town, who had vow'd to die a Maid, in Answer to a Letter, where, in a Copy of Verses, she signify'd her Resolution, and desired an Account of the House and its Situation, in which a new married Lady of her acquaintance was settled.

An Answer to a poetical Letter from Miss ---, in which she informs me of a warm Debate, in a Senate of Ladies, upon the Question, Whether I had ever been in Love?

The Gentleman's Answer to a Song call'd the Lady's Reply.

Sent to Mrs ---, upon the Epiphany.

Upon the first Day of the Year.

SHORT EJACULATIONS.

A THOUGHT at first waking.

To a Lady on the New Year; by a Gentleman.

To the Rt Hon. Lady Viscountess IRWIN, on her Poem call'd Castle Howard.

CYDIPPE to LEONZO.

Written in a blank Leaf of Mrs Row's Works.

On a Lady who refused the Address of four Gentlemen eminent in their Profession, and died a Maid.

Presented to a Gentleman in danger of being in Love with a Woman of bad Conduct.

On a female Cat, named Selima, who fell into a China Cistern with Gold Fishes in it, and was drown'd.

The following upon the same Occasion, was wrote by a Lady, probably to Selima's Mistress, to comfort her for the Loss of her Favourite.

A Gentleman having read the foregoing Verses, ask'd what Reason could be given for Phœbus interesting himself in the Affair? This Question occasion'd the following Lines.

Wit rewarded, or the Double Triumph.

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An ODE on MUSICK.

Act II.

Address'd to a Lady (whom I had not then seen) on the Day of her Marriage with a Gentleman of my Acquaintance.

To the Author of the EPISTLE. To Mrs MASTERS and her Readers.

PSALM CXXXVIII.

An Epitaph found at Soulac, the Ancient Noviomagus, a Town in Guienne, a Province of France.

The Expostulation and Resolution.

An Hymn intended to be sung on Easter-Day.

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277

Act II.

The buxom Nymphs, and jolly Swains,
That haunt Britania's verdant Plains;
As sprightly May advances,

Air.

Anon the cheary Lass,
Trips it briskly o'er the Grass,
And gaily throws around her Glances—
Here the blithsome Shepherds wooing,
There the enamour'd Couple cooing;
Hail her with her rural Dances.

Recitative.

The spreading Oak reclin'd beneath,
The gentle Noon-tide Air they breathe;
'Till Phœbus westward drives his Steeds,
And laughing Mirth, and rosy Wine succeed.

278

Air.

Soft Violins to jocund Dances call,
And as the various Measures sound,
The merry Dancers strike the Ground;

Recitative.

Listen, ah listen to the warbling Flute,
Ye feather'd Choir a while be mute;
Hither oh Goddess of the Paphian Grove,
And all ye little Cupids move.

Air.

Venus, Queen of soft Desire,
Melt, oh! melt my Charmer's Breast;
Must a faithful Swain expire,
While a faithless Nymph's at rest?

Recitative.

His Vows are heard—no more he pines—
The Nymph again to Love inclines—

279

Duet.

While my Charmer thus caressing,
Monarch's, I your Power disdain;
Here's the Darling worth possessing,
Sweet Reward for all my Pain.

Recitative.

Be calm as Midnight—fair Cecilia sings,
And Musick rises on her softest Wings;
Diffusive Sweetness on her Warble floats,
And the Heart springs dilated with her Notes.
Attention listens, as the thirsty Ear,
Imbibes each Thrill, and yet thirsts on to hear;
See the charm'd Angels by her Accents bound,
Feed on her Notes, and drink the lenient Sound.

Air.

Oh! how sweetly soft her Measure!
Full of Harmony and Pleasure;

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Now majestically slow,
Her rosy Fingers move;
Now rising from the Notes below,
She strikes the Chords above.

Grand Chorus.

Attentive Woods round Orpheus throng,
But Angels listen to her Song.