Poems upon Various Occasions Written for the Entertainment of the author, And Printed for the Amusement Of a few friends, Prejudic'd in his Favour [by William Shenstone] |
 |
To Selinda.
|
 | Poems upon Various Occasions |  |
51
To Selinda.
An Apology for having celebrated Others.
I
Plato, who to Perfection brought,And made of gentle Love a Duty,
Wise Plato's Rules have gravely taught
To scale by Steps to perfect Beauty.
II
Long had I strove, with equal Care,In thought some perfect Form to find;
I stole a Grace from ev'ry Fair,
To deck the Charmer in my Mind.
III
Guiltless of Love! 'Twas hence I soughtTo praise the Sex with nicer Art:
Resolv'd, the Form my Fancy wrought
Alone, when found, shou'd move my Heart.
52
IV
From ev'ry fragrant Beauty knownThe Bees thus furnish out their Hive;
To None confin'd; intent alone
On the rich compound, they contrive.
V
Like Mancha's Knight, I form'd a Fair,My Prowess in her Cause to shew:
Nor guess'd a real Nymph cou'd share,
Much less, engross my Heart, like YOU.
VI
Hence then, Selinda, you'll discover,(If not, the sprightlier Muse may shew it,)
That then the Poet made the Lover;
As now, the Lover makes the Poet.
| Poems upon Various Occasions | |