Poems on Several Occasions :: :: University of Virginia Library

Thou, for whose View these Numbers were design'd,
A while with Favour, Hamilton, attend;
Smile, and begin not now to be unkind,
But tho' the Poet please not, spare the Friend:
And Thou, dear Object of my growing Love,
Whom now I must not, or I dare not name,
Approve my Verse, which shines if you approve;
Let giddy Madmen court delusive Fame;
Let your Acceptance sweet o'erpay my Toil;
Let Age and Rigour frown, so Youth and Beauty smile.

II

Of Arms, which fierce contending Sexes bore,
I sing; and Wars, for Fame and Empire made.
Despotick Man rul'd with tyrannick Pow'r,
Obey'd, but with reluctance still obey'd;
With Words his long-disputed Cause he tries,
But Woman's equal Wit disdains to yield;
At length to Arms ungenerously he flies,
As quick the Female takes the profer'd Field;
Each their superior Merit to maintain:
For Man was learn'd and proud, and Woman fair and vain.

III

A Plain there was, call'd Life, extended wide,
To which a single painful Passage led,
With num'rous Outlets plac'd on ev'ry Side;
Scenes smiling fair the Prospect overspread:
Flourets, and Myrtles fragrant, seem'd to rise:
All was at distance sweet, but near at hand
The gay Deceit mock'd the desiring Eyes,
With Thorns, and desert Heath, and barren Sand,
Severest Change afflicts th' uncertain Air,
Expos'd to Summer Suns, to Blasts of Winter bare.

IV

'Twas here each Sex their Field of Battle chose,
The narrow Entrance by Consent they past;
But enter'd, soon their Enmity disclose,
And to their different Standards march with haste
Before directing Reason yet awoke,
Was Passion taught them ev'n in Infant Age,
While antient Sires the kindling Sparks provoke,
And warning Dames impertinently sage.
Thus either Sex in mutual Feuds combin'd,
As tho' for Wars and Hate by Nature's God design'd.

V

Brigades of crafty Neuters hov'ring lay
Camp'd on the Margin of the spacious Plain,
To wait the doubtful Fortune of the Day,
And publick Loss improve to private Gain:

Detested Prudence! others, nobler far,
Their unresolving March to neither bend,
Purpos'd in Friendship to compose the Jar,
Or timely Succour to th' oppress'd to send.
Here Marriage chaste, there Love the Conqu'ror lies,
Adverse to ranging Lust, and groveling Avarice.

VI

The Women first, quick to Revenge, were seen
In shining rich enamel'd Arms advance;
Like antient Spartans, o'er the level Green,
To breathing Flutes they trod a measur'd Dance.
Dreadful to Man so moving! Strait in Air,
Male Banners wave, while sounding Trumpets Breath
Kindles in martial Breasts stern love of War,
Delib'rate Valour, and Contempt of Death.
Furious they charge, while Fortitude, their Guide,
Conspicuous in the Van, his Female Foes defy'd.

VII

In freshest Pride of Life, and Strength of Years,
The Male Battalions worthy to command,
In Times of Danger unappal'd with Fears,
A Chieftain swift of Foot, and strong of Hand;
Nor tir'd with Labours, nor dismay'd with Pains,
Arm'd at all Points, a stranger to Despair,
He dreads not Treason, and he Force disdains;
In bitter Taunts he thus accosts the Fair:
By Women charg'd, shall Warriors back recoil?
Sharp Swords and pointed Spears shall feeble Distaffs foil?

VIII

Beauty, great Gen'ral of the Female War,
Sprung from the Front with Fortitude t'engage,
Too slight for Toil her tender Limbs appear,
Yet stoutest Heroes trembled at her Rage.
Stiff Ribs of Whale her Coat of Mail compos'd,
Compos'd with Art, her taper Waste to show
A Bever wrought with black her Helmet clos'd,
Which by th' name of Mask the Moderns know.
Each Step, each Motion, shot an artless Grace;
She seem'd of Conquest sure, sure e'en without her face.

IX

The warlike Virgin, and the Hero, chose
In diff'rent ways to wage an equal Fight;
With Giant Strength he heaps redoubled Blows,
Of Force inferior, she depends on Slight:
Eluding furious Strokes by quick Retreat,
Long time she wards, and wary shifts her place;
At length her Helm his Sword descending met,
And of her sable Vizard cut the Lace;
Millions of sudden Charms discover'd lye,
Her Skin, her Hair, her Brows, her Cheeks, her Eye.

X

Disdainful Frowns and Smiles alternate rise,
Swift to her Cheeks the lovely Crimson streams,
While kindling Rage darts Lightning from her Eyes,
And adds new Brightness to their native Beams;

Nor shalt thou boast, th' undaunted Virgin said,
Nor am I yet defenceless, and o'erthrown.
His forward foot the shrinking Warrior stay'd,
Damp'd with resistless Fear, till then unknown;
Th' inchanting Voice his utmost Nerves unstrung,
And what her Eyes began, she perfects with her Tongue.

XI

But Wisdom next slow-marching to his aid,
In heavy Armour took the doubtful Field;
Temper'd his Helm, by wondrous Magick made;
And proof to Witchcraft was his pond'rous Shield.
Calm without Fear, and fervent without Rage,
In action quick, and wary to advise,
He seem'd advanc'd to more than middle age;
For when had Youth the leisure to be wise?
Valiant to charge, but not too proud to fly;
Resolv'd his lifted Arm, and quick his piercing Eye.

XII

Now Beauty small avails, for Wisdom knows
How soon her transitory Glories fail;
That Age brings languid Eyes, and wither'd Brows,
Her Hairs all hoary, and her Face all pale.
The more he view'd, he view'd with less Applause;
Whom Rage distorted, and whom Pride deform'd:
Sternly his unrelenting Sword he draws,
Nor by her Looks, nor by her Language warm'd.
Scarce could frail Beauty stand his awful view,
When timely to her Aid deep-mining Cunning flew.

XIII

Artful her Bosom heav'd, her rolling Eyes
Allur'd with Glances whom in Heart she scorn'd;
Sweet flow'd her Words with ever-pleasing Lies,
An Infant Lisp her double-Tongue adorn'd.
Her Feet half dancing, negligently pac'd;
Her Motion, nay, her Rest was all Design;
Her Arms a Scarf and Ribband Bridle grac'd,
Whose Colours glorious in the Sun-beams shine;
Their Hue still varying with the changing place,
Yet each alternate Dye was suited to her Face.

XIV

The Springs and Passions of the secret Mind,
The wily Sorceress could surely move;
Now cruel false, now seeming faithful kind,
With well-dress'd Hate, and well-dissembled Love:
Fast fell her Tears, obedient to her will,
A side-long Glance her roving Eyes would throw;
Simple in Shew, and innocent of Skill,
Observing most what least she seem'd to know:
Then farthest off when most approaching near,
Was never Fraud so deep, in 'semblance so sincere.

XV

A fierce and dubious Conflict now began;
Cunning, great Engineer of Womankind,
Wisdom, main Champion for contending Man,
Met, wond'ring each, their Match in Arms to find:

Equal the Fight, while both their Station held,
While neither Chief the adverse Camp invades,
But furious Onsets either part repell'd,
By warlike Wiles and viewless Ambuscades:
Their Safety not in Strength, but flying, stood;
They conquer'd who retir'd, they yielded who pursued.

XVI

Mean time, far to the left, great Patience fought,
Experienc'd Veteran, harden'd in Alarms;
His Mail seem'd proof 'gainst mortal Fury wrought,
Yet Furrows deep indent his batter'd Arms;
Loss with persisting diligence he retriev'd,
Arm'd by his present Ills for future Wars;
Leader of Men, Wounds had he oft receiv'd,
Nobly deform'd with honourable Scars:
A branching Palm the Chieftan's Target bore,
Whose Boughs the more oppress'd, superior rise the more.

XVII

Him Scorn oppos'd, an Amazonian Fair,
Whose haughty Eyes were ever glanc'd askew;
Her Neck writh'd backward with disdainful Air,
As some distasteful sight offends her view.
That silly Maid incur'd her steady hate,
That could to Man, tyrannick Fawner, bow:
At distance let the menial Spaniel wait,
Or cringing at her feet his duty know.
Studious of flight, she sear'd to trust her feet,
But rode a Moorish Barb, than Eastern Winds more fleet.

XVIII

Tho' Man, as trodden Dirt, her Soul despis'd,
Yet ill her Habit and her Words agree;
A manlike Hunter's Dress her Form disguis'd,
Shafts at her Back, and Buskins to her Knee:
She fought like antient Parthians, flying fast,
And frequent stop'd her swift Pursuers Speed,
Still as she shot, redoubling strait her haste,
Quick born far distant by her light-foot Steed;
E'er on her Cask, her Foe Man's Sword descends,
Who 'gainst impassive Air his idle fury bends.

XIX

At length, oft wounded by her backward Dart,
Dismounted Patience headlong greets the Plain;
The boastful Conqu'ress glories in his Smart,
Stops, and alights, to view and mock his Pain.
The seeming breathless Champion light arose,
By Wounds unweaken'd, fiercer for his Fall;
Nor could astonish'd Scorn his Force oppose,
Debar'd of wonted Flight, a sudden Thrall.
So dear th' unwary short-liv'd Brav'ry cost;
What Hours with Toil preserv'd, with Ease a Moment lost.

XX

But now the Neutral Troops to move began,
Threat'ning the wearied Hosts with fatal War,
Led by their Chieftain Lust, a Giant Man,
With boastful Voice, loud shouting from afar;

Like Mountain-Torrents swell'd by Winter-Show'rs,
Resistless, fierce he sweeps along the Plain:
His lep'rous Mouth a Flame infectious pours,
Darting slow Death and strength-consuming Pain;
His ever-rolling Eyes like Beacons glare,
Shag'd as the Goat his Limbs, and black his bristling Hair.

XXI

Still to new Conquest eager he aspir'd,
Leaving with scorn whom he subdued in Fight;
'Gainst all Repulses steel'd, nor ever tir'd
With toilsome Day, or ill-succeeding Night.
Active when e'er the lucky Moment call'd,
And least Advantage obstinate to press:
His harden'd Front unblushing, unappall'd,
Laugh'd at Reproaches, and enjoy'd Disgrace;
Sporting with Oaths, unmov'd with Parent's Moans,
With rifled Virgin's Shrieks, or Infant's dying Groans.

XXII

His Shield was painted with lascivious Lies,
Whoredoms divine, devis'd to veil his Shame,
Of Jove the Thund'rer, and of Phœbus wise,
The Bull, the Goat, the Serpent, and the Flame:
Diana Midwife Prude, by day-light chaste,
A sleep lay pictur'd in Endymion's Arms;
There Bacchus' Feasts and Venus' Rites were plac'd,
With Philtres base, and Lust-compelling Charms,
A Crest obscene o'ershades the Monster's Head,
A Jove in Eagle's Form, with ravish'd Ganymede.

XXIII

'Gainst Lust the rash Coquets their Forces bent,
But sunk beneath the Fury of the Storm;
When Modesty, from the main Army sent
T' oppose his Rage, advanc'd her Angel Form;
Skilful with Darts to wage an equal Fight,
Her Arm resists not, but prevents the Blow;
A guiltless Blush crimsons her snowy white;
Her Voice reserv'dly soft, and sweetly low.
Few Women-Chiefs did like perfection share,
Scarce Cunning more of might, or Beauty's self more fair.

XXIV

The Championess quick seiz'd a rising Ground,
Where Ramparts high by Parent Hands were wrought,
Whose Fence the Giant traversing around,
Now here, now there, in vain an Entrance sought.
Upwards he press'd with unavailing speed,
Ardent in equal Fight his Foe t' assail;
Her ready Lance meets his aspiring Head,
Strongly rebuff'd he tumbling strikes the Vale;
But undismay'd, up-starting from the Plain,
Again he rises fierce, disgrac'd to fall again.

XXV

Stunn'd with the shock, the scarcely conqu'ring Fair
Now wisely meditates a distant Blow;
A pond'rous Stone hurl'd through the whistling Air,
Prevents the grappling of her stronger Foe;

Full on his Helm the rocky fragment fell,
And soil'd in humble Dust his lofty Crest;
But Wounds on Wounds his Course in vain repel,
For ten-fold Fury fires his stubborn Breast;
His glaring Eyes shot red revengeful Flame;
He roar'd, and would have blush'd, if capable of Shame.

XXVI

His Fraud, th' Artificer of Falshood try'd
In borrow'd Shape t' elude her wary Eye;
His Shield and well-known Casket thrown aside,
Disguis'd like Love, he march'd as an Ally.
With unsuspicious Faith the Maid believ'd,
'Till now the Rampart's top the Foe had gain'd;
Too late the lurking Treason she perceiv'd,
Surpriz'd un'wares, she scarce his Force sustain'd;
Courage her Heart, and Strength her Arm forsook;
Weak, sinking by degrees; faint, yielding to the Shock.

XXVII

The self-sufficient Prudes embattled stood
Near hand, but none t' assist the vanquish'd flies;
Their neighbour-Ranks they saw with joy subdu'd,
With spiteful mirth triumphant in their Eyes;
With Scoffs and sage Reproaches they upbraid
Those that o'erpower'd for help or pity call:
And can they yield to Lust? in rage they said,
Unaided, friendless, let the Wretches fall.
Themselves were now assail'd, the rest o'erthrown,
And Weakness scorn'd so late, too soon became their own.

XXVIII

At length the Chieftain Prude obstructs his speed,
By Men call'd Honour, but by Angels Pride;
On lowly Earth her foot disdain'd to tread,
High in a Martial Car she chose to ride:
The Load six dappled Coursers proudly drew,
Their Harness bright with Tinsel overcast;
Still as she rode, a conscious Glance she threw,
To mark what Gazers view'd her as she past.
Studded with burnish'd Brass the Chariot shin'd,
And drag'd with useless Pomp six glittering Slaves behind.

XXIX

She clanks her rattling Arms, and shouts aloud,
Strengthen'd by num'rous Troops that gaz'd around;
While Lust, half-faint, amidst the thronging Croud,
Himself on foot, a Match unequal found:
He leaves the Field, as desp'rate of Success,
But with recruited Rage and Strength returns,
Drawn by eight Steeds, he breaks the wond'ring Press;
With Gold his Slaves are bright, his Chariot burns.
Pride turn'd her Reins, soon as her Car she view'd;
The Monster shouts, She yields; she flies to be pursued.

XXX

Now sable-mantled Night advancing nigh,
Colours, distinct before, confus'dly blends;
While far from either Host the Chariots fly,
'Till Honour tir'd, to parley condescends,

And deigns submiss her haughty Crest to lower;
For Privacy she deems her Shame will screen:
No more defying, striking now no more,
Since nor her Vaunts are heard, nor Prowess seen:
She yields a willing Captive to his Might,
Obscur'd in guilty Clouds of all-concealing Night.

XXXI

From yielded Honour, Lust returning flew,
Where camp'd in Rest the Male Battalions lay,
And rous'd their wearied Host with Battle new,
With Rage still fiercest when remote from Day.
Not all the Noontide Heat and Toil of War
Equal'd the Dangers of this Midnight Hour;
The Centry sink, unnerv'd with sudden Fear,
And Groans of Wretches speak the Victor's Pow'r;
'Till, spread from Rank to Rank, th' Alarm was heard,
Where Reason, wakeful Chief, his utmost Tent uprear'd.

XXXII

From Courts and Cities frequent he retir'd,
Rev'rend his hoary Head, in Council sage;
Scorn'd in Extremes, and in Extremes admir'd;
Decry'd in Youth, and idoliz'd in Age:
His Voice was small, and still, and rarely known
Where direful Trumpets vex the troubled Air;
He starts from Earth, where arm'd his Limbs were thrown,
His Squadrons Fate or to revenge, or share:—
Your enter'd Camp from swift Destruction keep,
Or instant rous'd awake, or slain for ever sleep.

XXXIII

He spake; they rise obedient to his Call,
Who near their Chief their ready Tents had plac'd;
Yet baffled soon, the Conqu'rors Prey they fall,
Their Leader standing but to yield the last.
A while unconquer'd prov'd his aged Arm,
A while his Fortune hung in equal Scale:
He sunk, enfeebled as he grew more warm;
But Lust press'd on, accustom'd to prevail,
With Strength un'bated by laborious Sweat,
Greatest when most oppos'd, increasing with his Heat.

XXXIV

Now ruddy Morn purpled the glowing East,
And show'd the waste the Monster's Rage had made;
Whose Force nor Floods, nor Mountains could resist,
Nor Brass, nor Diamond Barriers, could have stay'd.
At length both shatter'd Hosts their Councils bent,
How surest to revenge their common Foil;
Made wise by Smart, a Championess they sent,
Whose Arm alone was equal to the toil;
Sometimes on Earth by Virtue's Title fam'd,
By wiser Angel-Minds divine Religion nam'd.

XXXV

Mild, sweet, serene, and chearful was her Mood;
Nor grave with Sternness, nor with Lightness free;
Against Example resolutely good,
Fervent in Zeal, and warm in Charity:
Who ne'er forsook her Faith for love of Peace,
Nor sought with Fire and Sword to show her Zeal;
Duteous to Princes, when they most oppress;
Patient in bearing ill, and doing well:

In Pray'rs and Tears she sought and found Defence,
Nor rais'd rebellious Arms to strengthen Providence.

XXXVI

Her prudent Care was fix'd on Heaven's Height,
Yet by her Steps on Earth that Care was shown:
Fearless of Harm in Darkness, as in Light;
Fearful of Sin at Midnight, as at Noon:
A bloody Cross was pourtray'd on her Shield,
Whose sight the Monster scarcely could sustain;
Feeble to gain, yet loth to quit the Field;
Blasted and thunder-struck with chilling Pain;
When 'gainst his Head her sacred Arms she bent,
Strict Watch, and Fast severe, and Prayer omnipotent.

XXXVII

Murm'ring he fled, yet backward turn'd his Face,
Whom Step by Step th' Angelick Maid pursued;
Yet oft, as slack'ning he observ'd her pace,
He stay'd his Flight, and Battle fierce renew'd.
Mean while the yet-remaining neutral Bands
Advanc'd with open Look and friendly Mind;
Whose timely March a glorious Pair commands,
Marriage, and Love; unhappy when disjoin'd;
Who over Lust the surest Triumph gain'd;
Friends to Religion firm, by Wisest God ordain'd.

XXXVIII

Love, the most general Conqu'ror here below,
Whose subtle Nature hard is to be told;
Whom all can feel, but few aright can know;
Who cheats the Crafty, and who fools the Old.

He seem'd of jarring Contraries compos'd,
To-day sharp-sighted, and to-morrow blind;
His Beaver lifted up, his Face disclos'd,
Where simple Faith, and winning Sweetness shin'd.
High on his Crest sat perch'd a gall-less Dove,
Emblem of changeless Truth, and Chastity, and Love.

XXXIX

Th' immortal Glories of the Nut-brown Maid,
Emblazon'd lively on his Shield appear:
The various Parts the shifting Lover play'd;
The Test for human Frailty too severe.
Wealth, Ease, and Fame, and Sex she cast behind;
Where Friendship leads, determin'd to pursue:
Not Falshood's self could shake her steady Mind,
Firm to the Base, and to the Perjur'd true.
All but her Virtue, she for Henry leaves;
Love stands the sore Assault, tho' rival'd Woman grieves.

XL

Sometimes more fleet the swift-foot Pow'r would go
Than Morning Light, or quicker Thought can fly;
Sometimes with stealing Motion, silent, slow;
Unseen, unmark'd, but by the jealous Eye:
Dauntless, resolv'd, mindless of Perils past,
Rewarded in an Hour for Years of Pain;
Trembles his Eye, with modest awe down-cast,
Faulters his Tongue, scarce daring to complain;
Yet, when grown bold, their moving Force he tries,
Manna is on his Tongue, and Witchcraft in his Eyes.

XLI

Of winged Boys a num'rous Troop he led,
Whose Shafts both Sexes wound with certain aim,
The Wounds not Pain, but doubtful Pleasure bred;
For not from hostile Bows the Arrows came.
Forgetting Feuds, they long to be ally'd,
And softer Passions on their Bosoms seize:
Down from their Hands their wrathful Weapons slide,
Chang'd is their Hatred for Desire to please:
In sudden Peace the jarring Kinds agree,
With Reconcilement dear, and cordial Amity.

XLII

Transform'd by magick Love the Males appear,
New cast their Natures in a finer Mould;
Prudent the Fool, well-natur'd the Severe,
The Wise grew humble and the Coward bold.
Nor less his friendly Darts improve the Fair;
Was none or loosely free, or coyly rude;
The gay Coquet now liv'd not to ensnare,
To meekest passive Woman sunk the Prude:
Nor could the Brave resist, or Fearful run,
For Heav'n made Man to win, and Woman to be won.

XLIII

Next close to Love, well suited Marriage came,
Who hand in hand their social steps advance;
Kindly as warmth of Life, her even Flame,
Not Fevers heat, nor flutt'ring Spirits dance;

Who Pleasure tasted with reflecting Thought,
Nor Life upbraided for avoidless Pains
Entail'd on Mortal State; but wisely sought
Too flitting Love with long-enduring Chains,
Of Int'rest and of Duty fast to bind;
Fountain of chaste Delight, great Parent of Mankind.

XLIV

Where Love had touch'd the Hearts, she joins the Hands,
And grants an holier, and a stronger Tye;
For Death alone could disunite her Bands,
Nor shorter space could Friendship satisfy.
While thus she join'd the Pairs, the Matron spoke;
Attend, ye Sexes, and my Words approve,
My Doom nor Male nor Female shall revoke;
Since Nature form'd the Kinds for mutual Love:
Your Battle vain, vain is your Anger shown,
For more distinguish'd Hate mere Dotage shall atone.

XLV

Tho' Man shall awful Rule o'er Woman bear,
Not sprung from greater Worth, but Right divine;
Yet She shall in her turn Dominion share,
E'er to His Will her Empire she resign:
But, while She reigns, her Mercy let her show,
And well employ the quickly-fleeting Time;
Not unrewarded shall her Mildness go,
And strictest Justice shall o'ertake her Crime.
Gently shall those be rul'd, who gently sway'd;
Abject shall those obey, who haughty were obey'd.

XLVI

Ambition proud, and sordid Avarice,
Two mighty Troublers of the World were near,
Abhor'd by all Men, when without disguise;
But now the Garb of Love they chose to wear.
Ambition stooping popularly low,
Still pleaded Publick welfare, not his own;
Dissembling deep, yet unreserv'd in show,
Imposing all things, but believing none:
Whose subtle Wit could cross Events command,
Scorner of Heav'n and Earth, his God his own Right hand.

XLVII

Skill'd in the various Turns of giddy Tides,
With dextrous timeing of his watchful Skill,
With cool Disdain, the Preacher he derides,
Who marks th' eternal Bounds of Good and Ill:
By him were Princes barr'd of equal Love,
And lost to Quiet if they Greatness prize;
Oppress'd with State unwillingly they move,
Crown'd are the Victims drag'd to Sacrifice.
Absent, unknown, and unendear'd they wed,
Mean while the naked Sword divides the loveless Bed.

XLVIII

Next, close to him crept Avarice the Old,
Quick to receive, but ever slow to pay;
Wanting for fear of Want, adoring Gold;
Nearer his Inn, more careful for his Way:
His flinty Breast could ne'er Compassion show,
He Pity Weakness, Virtue Folly calls;

Friendless, and to himself the deadliest Foe,
Harden'd he lives, and unrepenting falls.
He blooming Youth to palsy'd Age would tye,
To raise and to enrich, would end his Family.

XLIX

These Traitors, mask'd like Love, in Marriage join'd
Thousands by Nature form'd to disagree;
While thoughtless Youth the future List not mind,
And Age dim-sighted help'd their Treachery.
Their Pairs were soon distinguish'd by th' Event;
Unkind Reproach, too biting to endure,
Pining Distrust, and brawling Discontent,
Curs'd Jealousy, which Heav'n alone can cure.
Foul perjur'd Guilt, sad causer of Divorce,
And late Repentance vain, of Hell itself the source.

L

Forgive the Voice that useful Fiction sings;
Not impious Tales of Deities impure,
Not Faults of breathless Queens or living Kings,
In open Treason, or in Veils obscure.
What here I write, each knowing Eye will see
To all but Brutes and Angels must belong:
Still will the Sexes jar, and still agree,
And each Day's Truth shall moralize my Song.
Still will each Sex for Sov'reignty contend:
Wars with the World begun, with that alone shall end.