FABLE XXIX. Jupiter:
Or, Lust and Modesty incompatible
Jove
, to Compleat his Creature Man, impress'd
All requisite Affections in his Breast;
But, in the Throng, he had omitted Shame,
And knew not how to introduce the Dame:
He found, her Presence there was much requir'd;
A needful Virtue, tho' not oft' desir'd;
And bid her justle in among the Crow'd:
Whereat she blush'd, and the Command withstood:
But, urg'd by Jove, reply'd; I will Obey,
If you will keep that Monster, Lust, away:
For he will all the Microcosm inflame
With burning Passions, which I blush to name:
And if he enters, I must straight retire,
As Men from Houses that are all on-Fire.
The MORAL.
‘Where Modesty vouchsafes to fix her Seat,
‘Lust must withdraw, or she will soon retreat:
‘The diff'rent Passions will not brook one Sphere,
‘And never in each other's Bounds appear:
‘For an immortal Quarrel they maintain,
‘And Converse, by Antipathy, refrain.
‘Whoever is to Modesty enclin'd,
‘Do's against Lust a strong Cathartick find;
‘And he, whose loose Desires by Lust are sway'd,
‘Do's Modesty, with open Force, invade:
‘Thus as, to either, Men themselves devote,
‘They chuse a Poison, or an Antidote.
