 | Miscellanies in Verse and Prose |  |
10
The Praise of Sulpitia.
Forsake, Great God of War, thy Native Skies,A brighter Heaven is in Sulpitia's Eyes.
To grace thy Festival, behold her dress'd,
In all the shining Glories of the East.
On the Soft Pomp indulge thy ravish'd Sight,
Nor fear least Venus grudge the chaste Delight.
But thou, impetuous Warrior well beware;
Thy Arms will scarce defend thee from the Fair.
When Cupid would some am'rous God inflame,
He steals his Fire from this Celestial Dame.
The chearful Graces, and the sportive Loves,
Attend the Beauteous Maid, where'er she moves:
With secret Harmony each Act compose,
And give a happy Turn to all she does.
Whether in artful Pleats she brades her Hair,
Or lets it loosely Wanton in the Air:
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Or Neatly Plain seems negligently dress'd:
Alike there does through ev'ry Manner shine,
A Grace peculiar, and a Form divine.
Vertumnus so a thousand Dresses wears,
And Charming still in all the youthful God appears.
This matchless Fair is worthy to enjoy
Whatever Art, or Nature can supply.
For her the Tyrian shou'd employ his Care,
For her alone the costly Fleece prepare.
For her the Sun in bless'd Arabia's Soil,
Shall ripen Gums, and Incense, Spice, and Oil.
For her Both Indies shall their Treasures bring:
For her our Roses blow, our Violets spring.
For her the Muses shall young Bards inspire;
For her Apollo tune his Vocal Lyre.
Unnumber'd Years may she their Toil prolong,
No nobler Subject can adorn their Song.
| Miscellanies in Verse and Prose | |