Medulla Poetarum Romanorum Or, the Most Beautiful and Instructive Passages of the Roman Poets. Being a Collection, (Disposed under proper Heads,) Of such Descriptions, Allusions, Comparisons, Characters, and Sentiments, as may best serve to shew the Religion, Learning, Politicks, Arts, Customs, Opinions, Manners, and Circumstances of the Antients. With Translations of the same in English Verse. By Mr. Henry Baker |
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Complaisance.
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 | Medulla Poetarum Romanorum |  |
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Complaisance.
Her Wishes never, nor her Will withstand:
Submit, You conquer: serve, and you'll command.
Her Words approve, deny what she denies,
Like where she likes, and where she scorns, despise.
Laugh when she smiles, when sad, dissolve in Tears:
Let ev'ry Gesture sympathize with hers.
If she delights, as Women will, in play,
Her Stakes return, your ready Losings pay.
When she's at Cards, or rattling Dice she throws,
Connive at Cheats, and generously lose.
A smiling Winner let the Nymph remain,
Let your pleas'd Mistress ev'ry Conquest gain.
Submit, You conquer: serve, and you'll command.
Her Words approve, deny what she denies,
Like where she likes, and where she scorns, despise.
Laugh when she smiles, when sad, dissolve in Tears:
Let ev'ry Gesture sympathize with hers.
If she delights, as Women will, in play,
Her Stakes return, your ready Losings pay.
When she's at Cards, or rattling Dice she throws,
Connive at Cheats, and generously lose.
A smiling Winner let the Nymph remain,
Let your pleas'd Mistress ev'ry Conquest gain.
In Heat with an Umbrello ready stand:
When walking offer your officious Hand.
Her trembling Hands, tho' You sustain the Cold,
Cherish, and to your warmer Bosom hold.
Think no inferior Office a Disgrace:
No Action, that a Mistress gains, is base.
Whene'er she wants a Messenger, away,
Business defer, let nought your Speed delay.
When late from Supper she's returning home,
And calls her Servant, as a Servant come.—
When walking offer your officious Hand.
Her trembling Hands, tho' You sustain the Cold,
Cherish, and to your warmer Bosom hold.
Think no inferior Office a Disgrace:
No Action, that a Mistress gains, is base.
Whene'er she wants a Messenger, away,
Business defer, let nought your Speed delay.
When late from Supper she's returning home,
And calls her Servant, as a Servant come.—
Then for his Conversation: he was never uneasy upon any occasion, nor would he ever spoil Company, but clos'd with all Humours, never thwarting others, nor assuming too much to himself. And I think this was the Way to get Reputation and Friends without Envy.—
Complaisance goes current, when Plain-dealing will not pass.—
| Medulla Poetarum Romanorum | |