 | Poems upon Several Occasions |  |
25
The FIRE.
I
A little house I had (a Heart I mean)Well furnish'd by my Mother's early Care
With holy Principles, chaste Thoughts and clean,
Good Purposes, modest Desires, and fair:
In all the House no room to spare;
In all the precious Goods no Spot was to be seen.
II
But, ah! nor House, nor Goods can be secureFrom Fire, one day before her Eyes I came;
26
The subtil Lightning, catch'd a sudden Flame,
Which burnt down all the little Frame:
Hardly escap'd, with hurt, the goodly Furniture.
III
Forthwith I ran, and call'd in all the aidI could, to quench the Fire: but all in vain
Then I apply'd my self to her, and pray'd
For Pity to those Eyes that gave the Pain:
She entertain'd me with Disdain,
And (Nero like) laugh'd at the Flames her self had made.
IV
The Law (they say) will force her to make goodThe Damages, whereof she was the cause:
Sometimes I threaten in an angry Mood
To trie; but sober Counsels bid me pause:
For Beauty is above the Laws;
'Twill blind the Judges Eyes, and fire their aged Blood.
27
V
Oh! what a wretch was I to come so near?Alas! I thought it but a Lambent Flame,
Such as once play'd about Ascanius Hair,
And gently lick'd his Head, and did proclaim
His future Majesty and Fame;
Or like the fanci'd Orb of Fire above the Air.
VI
Well, in the Ashes yet, I've Wisdom foundAnd this Mishap shall teach me watchful Care:
The Man that can prevent a Second Wound
Is wise. But ah! what boots it to beware?
A Second Fire what need he fear
Whose House was by the First burnt down quite to the ground?
| Poems upon Several Occasions | |