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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Courtship.
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 | Medulla Poetarum Romanorum |  |
Courtship.
See Complaisance. Flattery.
An Elm was near, to whose Embraces led,A curling Vine her swelling Clusters spread:
He view'd their twining Branches with Delight,
And prais'd the Beauty of the pleasing Sight.
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Had stood neglected, and a barren Shade:
And this fair Vine, but that her Arms surround
Her marry'd Elm, had crept along the Ground.
But no Example thy hard Heart can move,
Still, still averse to all the Joys of Love.—
Bright Youth, she cries, whom all thy Features prove
A God: and if a God, the God of Love:
But if a Mortal, blest thy Nurse's Breast,
Thy Father, Mother, Brother, Sister blest:
But, oh how blest! how more than blest thy Bride!
Ally'd in Bliss, if any yet ally'd.
If so, let mine the stol'n Enjoyment be:
If not, behold a willing Bride in me.—
Too much the Youth does in his Beauty trust,
Who thinks the Fair, will speak her Passion first:
With humble Pray'rs his Suit the Man should move:
The Maid with Complaisance accept his Love.
Ask, and be happy: freely speak your Mind:
And yield a fair Occasion to be kind.—
You, who in Cupid's Lists inroll your Name,
First, seek an Object worthy of your Flame:
Then strive the charming Fair one's Heart to gain:
Be next your Care, that Love may long remain.—
Firmly believe all Women may be won:
Attempt with Confidence, the Work is done.
The Grashopper shall first forbear to sing
In Summer Season, and the Birds in Spring:
The Hound shall sooner, frighted, turn away
From the weak Hare, its long accustom'd Prey,
Than Woman stand against Man's flatt'ring Skill:
Ev'n she will yield, who swears she never will.—
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And ford the doubtful Passage with your Pen.
If to her Heart you'd find the nearest Way,
Extreamly flatter, and extreamly pray.
Priam by Pray'rs did Hector's Body gain,
Nor is an angry God invok'd in vain.—
When to the Play she goes be ever nigh,
And gaze, with Love and Wonder in your Eye.
Admire the Dancer who her Liking gains,
And pity him who acts the Lover's Pains:
Sit while she sits, and when she rises rise,
And for her sake the Loss of Time despise.—
Act well the Lover: let your Speech abound
In dying Words, expressive of your Wound.
Nor doubt You her Belief: She will be mov'd:
The plainest thinks she merits to be lov'd.—
Be first to snatch the Goblet from her Lip,
And where she laid her Lips the Blessing sip:
Whate'er she touches with her Fingers, eat:
And brush her Hand in reaching to the Meat.—
And where she laid her Lips the Blessing sip:
Whate'er she touches with her Fingers, eat:
And brush her Hand in reaching to the Meat.—
Paleness becomes not those who sail the Sea,
Brown'd by the Sun and Waves they ought to be:
Nor suits it those, who all the Seasons round,
With Ploughs and Harrows turn the stubborn Ground:
Nor You, who seek by Arms to gain Renown,
Can, with pale Looks, become the Victor's Crown:
But if the Lover hopes to be in Grace,
Exceeding wan, and meager be his Face:
Paleness is apt, and decent in his Case.
That Colour from the Fair Compassion draws,
She thinks you sick, and thinks herself the Cause.
Then, tho' in Health, be not asham'd to wear,
And, with thy Night-Cap, hide thy seemly Hair.
If Cares and Woes attending Love should fail,
Sit up whole Nights, and study to be pale.
Unhappy be, in order to be blest,
And let each Look bespeak a Love-sick Breast.—
Brown'd by the Sun and Waves they ought to be:
Nor suits it those, who all the Seasons round,
With Ploughs and Harrows turn the stubborn Ground:
Nor You, who seek by Arms to gain Renown,
Can, with pale Looks, become the Victor's Crown:
But if the Lover hopes to be in Grace,
Exceeding wan, and meager be his Face:
Paleness is apt, and decent in his Case.
That Colour from the Fair Compassion draws,
She thinks you sick, and thinks herself the Cause.
Then, tho' in Health, be not asham'd to wear,
And, with thy Night-Cap, hide thy seemly Hair.
If Cares and Woes attending Love should fail,
Sit up whole Nights, and study to be pale.
Unhappy be, in order to be blest,
And let each Look bespeak a Love-sick Breast.—
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For Tears will pierce a Heart of Adamant.
If Tears will not be squeez'd, then rub your Eye,
Or wet the Lids, and seem at least to cry.—
Trust not your beauteous Form, but learn to know,
There's more requir'd in Love than empty Show:
Debates avoid, and rude Contention shun,
Mild Love is with submissive Language won.
With tender Vows the charming Maid endear,
And let her only Sighs and Wishes hear.
Contrive with Words and Actions to delight,
And make your self still Welcome in her Sight.—
I no profuse nor costly Gifts commend,
But chuse, and time it well, whate'er You send.
Thro' ev'ry Season of the fruitful Year,
Let your own Boy some rural Present bear:
Tell her 'tis fresh, and from your Manor brought,
Tho' stale, and in the Suburb Market bought.
The first ripe Cluster let the Fair One eat,
And her with Apples, Nuts, and Chesnuts treat.
To her the Thrush, to her the Garland send,
As certain Proofs she's always in your Mind.
By Arts like these the Childless Miser's caught:
Thus future Legacies are basely bought.
But may they meet with Punishment divine,
Who make their Presents with a bad Design!—
In Autumn oft, when the delightful Year
Purples the Grape, and shows the Vintage near,
Fierce Heats, by turns, and chilly Blasts arise,
And bodies languish with inconstant Skies.
Then, if the vitious Air infects her Veins,
And in her tainted Blood some Fever reigns,
Your tender Love, by your Behaviour show,
And if you e'er expect to reap, then sow.
Think nothing nauseous in her loath'd Disease,
But with your ready Hand contrive to please:
Weep in her Sight, more ardent Kisses give,
And let her burning Lips your Tears receive.
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That she may hear the lavish Vows you make:
Often pretend to dream that she is well,
And the feign'd Dream to her with Pleasure tell.
Cares thus well tim'd shall stand you in good stead:
And this Way many climb the nuptial Bed.—
| Medulla Poetarum Romanorum | |