 | Poems upon Several Occasions |  |
Wisdom.
I
Be Wise d'ye say, I scorn that Word:Love's Politicks no such Rule afford,
For Love and Wisdom never yet,
Believe me, in one Subject met,
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Can be at once, Wise, and in Love.
II
The boldest Painter never dar'dDraw Love with either Eyes or Beard,
For these are Wisdom's Signs; but he
Delights in plain Simplicity.
Blindness and Childhood best express
His open-hearted Heedlesness.
III
Let them be wise that rule the State,And calculate the Kingdom's Fate,
Grave Counsellers, and Judges sage,
Philosophers and Men of Age;
The Serpent's Wisdom let them use,
We the Dove's Innocence will chuse.
IV
Wisdom to them perhaps may beOf Use: but not to thee and me,
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Of Doubts, and make our Pleasures dull.
Away with't: in the Mysteries
Of Love, 'tis Folly to be wise.
V
Ah! Dear, Thou dost not see the endTo which such evil Counsels tend.
Consider what it is you speak;
If this Advice Men once should take,
Your Empire's Ruine it would prove.
No wise Man ever was in Love.
VI
If I were Wise, I soon should findTh' Impertinence of Woman-kind:
Neither your Favour, nor your Frown
Would lift me up, or cast me down.
The Influence of your starry Eyes
Is over-rul'd by him that's wise.
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VII
The deepest Mystery of StateThat makes the Pope, and Women great,
Is Ignorance: If men were Wise,
Both Pope, and Women they'd despise,
And Protestants we all should prove
'Gainst his Religion, and your Love.
| Poems upon Several Occasions | |