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The Muses Melody in a Consort Of Poetry

With Diverse occasionall and Compendious Epistles. Composed by the Author Tho. Jordan
 

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An Apology to a coy Lady for a passionate Letter which a Gent. writ to her when she returned back to him a Diamond which he before had presented.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



An Apology to a coy Lady for a passionate Letter which a Gent. writ to her when she returned back to him a Diamond which he before had presented.

Madam! In such a calm of peaceful aire
As the self-fenrenc'd sinner sighs in Prayer,
I do salute your Candor; and desire
Your mercy may with pardon, quench the fire
Of my late Passions, for I must confess
Though they were truths, they wore too wild a dress:
I quite forgat the boundless distance that
Is set betwixt my lowness and your state:
And should (but that I see you disapprove)
In time have been a Leveler in Love:
You have reform'd my error, and (with high
Distaste) dismounted my soft heresie;
I am yovr Proselyte, and shall declare
To Lovers (such as I am) that they are
In desperate error if they dare to prove
Man's merit can deserve a Lady's love:
Ther's no such thing in nature; he that can
But scent the aire that issues from her fan,
Hath happiness enough; and he that wears
Her scorns, is paid for all his vows and tears.
His rings and ribbons are oblations that
Defile the shrine which they are offer'd at:
Else (honoured Lady) sure that trifle which
Your Iv'ry finger lately did enrich,
Had not been with such detestation sent
To him that loves you like his nourishment:


What is the motive (Madam) I am more
Tortur'd to know the cause, then feel the soar:
Pray speak it plainly, for the noblest dress
Of Truth is her own native nakedness:
I never yet committed an offence
That was too horrid for my Audience.
I will attend you with undaunted ear,
Although you utter all that I can fear:
My constitution boldly shall endure
To lose that limb which will admit no cure:
I wish you all the happiness that can
(With wisest search) be found in the best man:
May him whom you shall please to favour be
Sincere in all his services for she
That leaves a true heart for a fained one,
Doth give a Di'mond for a Bristow Stone.