University of Virginia Library

To Clovis, desiring me to bring Him into Marina's Company.

Charming Insulter! sure you might have chose
Some easier way than this you now propose,
To try the boundless Friendship I profess;
For if Fate can, this Task will make it less.
Clovis, believe; if any Thing there is
I can deny your Merit, it is this:
If I had Rocks of Diamonds, Mines of Ore,
Engross'd the Pearls upon the Eastern-shore;
VVith as much Joy, I'de lay'em at your Feet,
As Youthful Monarchs in new Empires meet.
Cou'd you be Happy by my Misery,
In any shape but this, I'de wretched be:
VVith ev'ry other Wish I wou'd comply,
But bright Marina's Sight I must deny:
That Gift's too prodigal; I'de rather part
With Life its self, and give my bleeding Heart:
For I with Blushes own, that Sacred Fire
Once rul'd my Breast, degenerate to desire.
I thought it Friendship; Swore it shou'd be so,
Yet spight of Me, it wou'd to Passion grow.
When to this worthless Heart, you did address,
With all the Marks that Passion cou'd express;
On my soft Neck your Pensive Head wou'd lay,
And Sigh, and Vow, and Kiss the Hours away.
Your Tears, and languish'd Looks I did neglect,
And wou'd not Love, yet highly did Respect;
Thought you the best of Men, and counsel'd you,
To turn your Passion into Friendship too:
Told you, my Heart was cruel Strephon's Prize,
His devout, tho neglected Sacrifice:
Wou'd often talk of sweet Marina's Charms,
And oft'ner wish her lodg'd in your dear Arms.
Ah, fatal Wish! ye Gods! why shou'd you mind
The foolish Wishes made by Woman-kind?
I ev'ry hour saw Strephon's Love decay;
And Clovis more Endear'd me every day.
Why at so vast a Rate shou'd he Oblige?
Or, why so soon shou'd he remove his Siege?
That Hour that Mine began, Your Love did end,
You took my Counsel and became my Friend:
And by those Ties, did earnestly request,
That I wou'd make Marina's Heart your Guest.
Oh, cruel Task! you Destinies, am I
In my own Ruine made a Property?
Yet want the Pow'r the Treason to deny?
Yes; tho this piece of knotty Friendship be
Hard in its self, and harder far to me;
I'le try, and in th'Attempt such Vigor show,
I'le make her Yours, tho Fate it self say no:
I'le tell your Merits in such soft, smooth Strains,
Shall leave a Thrilling Pleasure in her Veins;
And when my Tongue no sweeter Words can find,
I'le look, as there were ten times more behind.
Then speak again; nor leave her till I spy
She is Inthrall'd, and loves as much as I.
Then I'le present you with this Beauteous Slave,
The greatest Gift a Lover ever gave:
And when you cannot wish happier to grow,
Then think with how much Pain I made you so.