University of Virginia Library

Search this document 
The Works of John Sheffield

Earl of Mulgrave, Marquis of Normanby, and Duke of Buckingham. In two volumes ... The third edition, Corrected
  
  
  
  
  

collapse sectionI. 
  
  
collapse section 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
To a Coquet Beauty.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
collapse section 
  
collapse sectionI. 
 I. 
 II. 
 III. 
 IV. 
 V. 
 1. 
collapse sectionII. 
 I. 
 II. 
 III. 
 2. 
collapse sectionIII. 
 I. 
 II. 
 III. 
 IV. 
 V. 
 VI. 
 3. 
collapse sectionIV. 
 I. 
 II. 
 III. 
 IV. 
 V. 
 VI. 
 4. 
collapse sectionV. 
 I. 
collapse section 
  
collapse sectionI. 
 I. 
 II. 
 III. 
 IV. 
 V. 
 1. 
collapse sectionII. 
 I. 
 II. 
 III. 
 IV. 
 V. 
 2. 
collapse sectionIII. 
 I. 
 II. 
 III. 
 IV. 
 V. 
 3. 
collapse sectionIV. 
 I. 
 II. 
 III. 
 IV. 
 4. 
collapse sectionV. 
 I. 
 II. 
 III. 
 IV. 
 V. 
 VI. 


53

To a Coquet Beauty.

From Wars and Plagues come no such Harms,
As from a Nymph so full of Charms;
So much Sweetness in her Face,
In her Motions such a Grace,
In her kind inviting Eyes
Such a soft Enchantment lies;
That we please ourselves too soon,
And are with empty Hopes undone.
After all her Softness, we
Are but Slaves, while she is free;
Free, alas! from all Desire,
Except to set the World on Fire.
Thou, fair Dissembler, dost but thus
Deceive thyself, as well as us.

54

Like a restless Monarch, thou
Would'st rather force Mankind to bow,
And venture round the World to roam,
Than govern peaceably at Home.
But trust me, Celia, trust me, when
Apollo's Self inspires my Pen;
One Hour of Love's Delights outweighs
Whole Years of universal Praise;
And one Adorer, kindly us'd,
Gives truer Joys than Crouds refus'd.
For what does Youth and Beauty serve?
Why more than all your Sex deserve?
Why such soft alluring Arts
To charm our Eyes, and melt our Hearts?
By our Loss you nothing gain:
Unless you love, you please in vain.