The Works of Mr. Robert Gould In Two Volumes. Consisting of those Poems [and] Satyrs Which were formerly Printed, and Corrected since by the Author; As also of the many more which He Design'd for the Press. Publish'd from his Own Original Copies [by Robert Gould] |
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 | The Works of Mr. Robert Gould |  |
175
To Dr. Harding and his Lady; Some time after their Marriage.
To any other Marry'd Pair but You,
How vain, and how preposterous wou'd it shew,
In Hymen's Praise my Time and theirs to wast,
And talk of Love when the First Moon was past?
How vain, and how preposterous wou'd it shew,
In Hymen's Praise my Time and theirs to wast,
And talk of Love when the First Moon was past?
But tho' so many Myriads wretched are,
The General Rule will some Exceptions bear:
Once in an Age we may in Wedlock see
All that this Life can call Felicitie.
The General Rule will some Exceptions bear:
Once in an Age we may in Wedlock see
All that this Life can call Felicitie.
So when a Pestilential blast does fill
The Air, and blow an Epidemick Ill;
Some few the happy healing Breezes share,
As if the God of Physick cull'd the Air,
And wheresoe'er they mov'd wou'd breathe it there.
The Air, and blow an Epidemick Ill;
Some few the happy healing Breezes share,
As if the God of Physick cull'd the Air,
And wheresoe'er they mov'd wou'd breathe it there.
There's not a Joy the Marriage Life procures,
But signs and seals it self for ever Yours.
Where can we Expect with Happiness to meet,
If not with Peace and Plenty, Truth and Wit?
As in Election, so your Nuptials prove
There is as well a Chosen Race in Love.
But signs and seals it self for ever Yours.
Where can we Expect with Happiness to meet,
If not with Peace and Plenty, Truth and Wit?
As in Election, so your Nuptials prove
There is as well a Chosen Race in Love.
How strangely true our Wishes oft will fly,
Ev'n when they take their Aim above the Sky?
I saw, my Friend, the Fair you now possess,
Blooming in Sweets, and breathing Tenderness:
A wond'rous Goodness in her Eyes were fixt,
Yet with each Glance there seem'd some Terrour mixt:
So Egypt's Cloudless Sun Approach Confounds,
So Light'ning when 'tis brightest deepest Wounds.
By her discerning Conduct we might find
He much must Merit that cou'd make her Kind.
Concern'd for whom, 'twas this Reflection brought
All her Desponding Lovers to my Thought.
You, taller than the rest, elate were shown,
Like Him whose Stature rais'd him to a Throne.
I saw—and wish't you might her Heart obtain,
And there with uncontroll'd Dominion Reign;
A Sceptre which 'tis nobler far to sway,
Than Kingdoms that but Grudgingly obey.
Ev'n when they take their Aim above the Sky?
I saw, my Friend, the Fair you now possess,
Blooming in Sweets, and breathing Tenderness:
A wond'rous Goodness in her Eyes were fixt,
Yet with each Glance there seem'd some Terrour mixt:
176
So Light'ning when 'tis brightest deepest Wounds.
By her discerning Conduct we might find
He much must Merit that cou'd make her Kind.
Concern'd for whom, 'twas this Reflection brought
All her Desponding Lovers to my Thought.
You, taller than the rest, elate were shown,
Like Him whose Stature rais'd him to a Throne.
I saw—and wish't you might her Heart obtain,
And there with uncontroll'd Dominion Reign;
A Sceptre which 'tis nobler far to sway,
Than Kingdoms that but Grudgingly obey.
From the Fair Conqu'rour then I turn'd my view,
Contemplating her Happiness in You
Where can she find, cry'd I, a Worthier Youth,
So rich in Merit, and so fixt to Truth?
His Manly Aspect does command an Awe:
Like Eastern Kings that make their Nod a Law:
Yet with the strong so sweet a Mixture's joyn'd,
Like Mars, tho' daring; he's like Venus, kind.
Then in his Breast he all the Goodness shares
That Credits his Own Sex, and Conquers theirs.
What Numbers will be left to Death a Prize,
If he shou'd fall a Victim to her Eyes?
The Triumphs of his Art (our Future boast)
Not suffer'd to exist, will all be lost.
'Twill be a double Murder of the Dame
At once to rob Him both of Life and Fame.
Encline her, Heav'n, to hear her Lover's moan,
The Fair are fairer yet when Mercy's shown;
Ah! let her give him Peace, or lose her Own.
I spoke—When Lo! the Gracious Pow'rs approv'd;
And the next Glance the Loving was belov'd.
Contemplating her Happiness in You
Where can she find, cry'd I, a Worthier Youth,
So rich in Merit, and so fixt to Truth?
His Manly Aspect does command an Awe:
Like Eastern Kings that make their Nod a Law:
Yet with the strong so sweet a Mixture's joyn'd,
Like Mars, tho' daring; he's like Venus, kind.
Then in his Breast he all the Goodness shares
That Credits his Own Sex, and Conquers theirs.
What Numbers will be left to Death a Prize,
If he shou'd fall a Victim to her Eyes?
The Triumphs of his Art (our Future boast)
Not suffer'd to exist, will all be lost.
'Twill be a double Murder of the Dame
At once to rob Him both of Life and Fame.
Encline her, Heav'n, to hear her Lover's moan,
The Fair are fairer yet when Mercy's shown;
Ah! let her give him Peace, or lose her Own.
I spoke—When Lo! the Gracious Pow'rs approv'd;
And the next Glance the Loving was belov'd.
177
O Happy State! O Smooth Elezian Life!
O ever-sacred Names of Man and Wife!
When Mutually each others Care we prove,
And Wedlock walks in the smooth Paths of Love:
When nothing harsh, or hideous e'er appears,
To wound our Eyes and persecute our Ears:
When from our Looks a glowing Ardour darts,
With speaking Smiles, that Mind to Mind imparts;
The dear and silent Intercourse of Hearts!
When tun'd alike one touch both Wills does move;
O Transport scarce to be excell'd above.
O ever-sacred Names of Man and Wife!
When Mutually each others Care we prove,
And Wedlock walks in the smooth Paths of Love:
When nothing harsh, or hideous e'er appears,
To wound our Eyes and persecute our Ears:
When from our Looks a glowing Ardour darts,
With speaking Smiles, that Mind to Mind imparts;
The dear and silent Intercourse of Hearts!
When tun'd alike one touch both Wills does move;
O Transport scarce to be excell'd above.
How will this Choice thy Joyful Sire approve!
Ev'n He, no less Successful in his Love.
It will not be a mean or trivial Prayer,
That you may prove alike Auspicious Pair.
There Hymen long has laid a peaceful Head,
With the rich Banquets of Contentment fed,
And with a Gen'rous Issue blest their Bed.
Happy! that can so Good a Father boast!
And late some Lofty Genius mourn him lost.
How to my Converse will he Condescend?
With what Affection own himself my Friend?
How much he knows! how little he'll profess!
His Favours endless, and his Skill no less.
The Double Blessing be on him bestown
To give us Health, and long enjoy his own.
Ev'n He, no less Successful in his Love.
It will not be a mean or trivial Prayer,
That you may prove alike Auspicious Pair.
There Hymen long has laid a peaceful Head,
With the rich Banquets of Contentment fed,
And with a Gen'rous Issue blest their Bed.
Happy! that can so Good a Father boast!
And late some Lofty Genius mourn him lost.
How to my Converse will he Condescend?
With what Affection own himself my Friend?
How much he knows! how little he'll profess!
His Favours endless, and his Skill no less.
The Double Blessing be on him bestown
To give us Health, and long enjoy his own.
And Thou, O Thou (not less in thy Desert)
The Heir both of his Prudence and his Art;
The same Success as His attend thee still,
And Æsculapius dictate to thy Quill,
To save as fast as City-Emp'ricks kill.
The Heir both of his Prudence and his Art;
The same Success as His attend thee still,
And Æsculapius dictate to thy Quill,
To save as fast as City-Emp'ricks kill.
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How canst thou fail to ease us of our Harms,
Blest with such Sweets in thy desiring Arms,
And influenc'd with the Magick of her Charms!
Auspicious Health attends Her Side by Side,
And thus, Methinks, Instructs Thee to Prescribe.
Blest with such Sweets in thy desiring Arms,
And influenc'd with the Magick of her Charms!
Auspicious Health attends Her Side by Side,
And thus, Methinks, Instructs Thee to Prescribe.
When a Lethargick Patient dang'rous lies,
Flash on him full the Brightness of her Eyes:
The Genuine Light; the All-Reviving Ray,
Will drive like Mists the dozing Steams away,
Unchain the Optick Pow'rs, and bring 'em back to Day.
Where a Malignance has been Pow'rful long,
Apply the Artful Musick of her Tongue;
Let her but speak, the Evil will retire,
As SAUL's Distemper fled from DAVID's Lyre.
If 'tis a stubborn, tough, Hydropick Ill,
The Sweetness of her Temper next instill;
Quick thro' the Veins it will Triumphant ride,
Change the whole Mass and Sanguify the Tyde.
But if you fear these Methods yet may fail,
And wou'd have something certain to prevail,
A never-failing Cordial—from her Breath
Extract Immortal Balm—and laugh at Death!
Flash on him full the Brightness of her Eyes:
The Genuine Light; the All-Reviving Ray,
Will drive like Mists the dozing Steams away,
Unchain the Optick Pow'rs, and bring 'em back to Day.
Where a Malignance has been Pow'rful long,
Apply the Artful Musick of her Tongue;
Let her but speak, the Evil will retire,
As SAUL's Distemper fled from DAVID's Lyre.
If 'tis a stubborn, tough, Hydropick Ill,
The Sweetness of her Temper next instill;
Quick thro' the Veins it will Triumphant ride,
Change the whole Mass and Sanguify the Tyde.
But if you fear these Methods yet may fail,
And wou'd have something certain to prevail,
A never-failing Cordial—from her Breath
Extract Immortal Balm—and laugh at Death!
In vain these pleasing Notions I pursue;
This rich Elixir's all reserv'd for You:
To us it does no other Prospect give,
But that w'are doom'd to Die, and you to Live.
While the soft Fair can such Reliefs impart,
You need not have the least recourse to Art:
But lost in Joys, and brightn'd with her Charms,
Continue always Youthful in her Arms.
This rich Elixir's all reserv'd for You:
To us it does no other Prospect give,
But that w'are doom'd to Die, and you to Live.
While the soft Fair can such Reliefs impart,
You need not have the least recourse to Art:
But lost in Joys, and brightn'd with her Charms,
Continue always Youthful in her Arms.
It shall be so—I here the Muse engage
From both your Minds to raze the Thoughts of Age.
Love, Pleasure, Mirth, and all that's Sweet and Gay,
Shall crown the Night, and hurry on the Day.
A Series of Propitious Years, in Bliss
Shall come and go, all smooth and Calm like this;
Yet leave you still behind in all your Prime,
Fixt in your Bloom, and unimpair'd by Time.
From both your Minds to raze the Thoughts of Age.
179
Shall crown the Night, and hurry on the Day.
A Series of Propitious Years, in Bliss
Shall come and go, all smooth and Calm like this;
Yet leave you still behind in all your Prime,
Fixt in your Bloom, and unimpair'd by Time.
Lo! with the Thought ev'n I my Cares forego,
When thou art blest I must be happy too.
I to thy Soul by secret Bands am ty'd,
Thy Smiles my Peace, and thy Esteem my Pride.
Friendship till now (the Life they lead above)
Has been believ'd a Nobler Flame than Love—
'Tis past—and justly you the Fair prefer;
I Yield—but I can yield to none but HER:
SHE is the only Instance that does prove
Friendship is not so dear a Name as Love.
When thou art blest I must be happy too.
I to thy Soul by secret Bands am ty'd,
Thy Smiles my Peace, and thy Esteem my Pride.
Friendship till now (the Life they lead above)
Has been believ'd a Nobler Flame than Love—
'Tis past—and justly you the Fair prefer;
I Yield—but I can yield to none but HER:
SHE is the only Instance that does prove
Friendship is not so dear a Name as Love.
| The Works of Mr. Robert Gould | |