University of Virginia Library

The Libertines Return to his Virtuous Wife, in a Dialogue between Damon and Chloe.

Damon.
Chloe from all the Pleasures of the Town,
Where Knaves seek Wealth, and nobler Minds renown,
To this more happy Grove am I return'd,
Where you, your Damon's Absence long have mourn'd,
Here will I stay, for ever more be true,
And lead my Life in Solitude with you.

Chloe.
Welcome, dear Damon, to my faithful Arms,
O that I had but all my Sex's Charms;
Were but the Graces of my Face and Mind,
Bright and engaging as I'm just and kind;
Then might I hope my Beauty and my Love,
Might charm you that you never more would rove,

Damon.
Chloe, I've wrong'd you, I confess my Crime,
But now in Tears repent and curse the time.
You my bright Angel have been kind and true,
But I've been faithless and unjust to you,
Forgive your Penetent all Errors past,
And he'll become as kind as you are chast.

Chloe.
The Love and Sorrow in your Looks I find,
Fill me at once with a forgiving Mind;
Had your Unkindness and your Slights been more
Than e'er young Bride from cruel Husband bore;
Yet such a Vow would have atton'd for all,
And made my Love a Recompence too small.

Damon.
What Godlike Goodness does thy Breast contain,
Thou best of Women to the worst of Men,
What, my Dear Chloe, can I say or do,
To bless a Wife so charming and so true,
Whose Beauty shines, improv'd by Vertues Light,
Bright as the Sun by Day and Moon by Night.

Chloe.
O promise only (as I'm truly thine)
To fix your Love and be for ever mine.
Let no young Rival, with her wanton Charms,
Delude you to forsake your Chloe's Arms,
For she that does, tho fair, she must be lewd,
But Chloe will be always kind and good.

Damon.
Tho I have wonder'd from the sweetest Bride,
That ever blest a happy Husband's Side;
Yet Conscious of my Guilt, I'm now return'd,
Have all my Follies past sincerely mourn'd,
And with a contrite Heart, to Heav'n and you,
Have vow'd for ever to be kind and true.

Chloe.
O bless the happy Tydings that I hear,
A Thousand joyful Welcomes to my Dear,
O let me hug thee in my faithful Breast,
No longer now with jealous Fears opprest,
Give me more pow'rful Charms, O mighty Jove!
And help my Kisses to express my Love.

Damon.
Chloe, I've found the diff'rence is so vast,
'Twixt wanton Beauty and a Wife so chast,
That now I know the better how to prize
Your Virtues more than their deceitful Eyes;
They're false and only serve a lustful End,
But I find Chloe is my faithful Friend.

Chloe.
So my dear Damon will I ever prove,
And bless your Bed with unpolluted Love,
Such that had always Vertue to aspire,
Above a wanton Deed or loose Desire,
Such that has grrev'd you should to others fly,
But in your Absence never thought awry.

Damon.
If blest in me, for ever cease to mourn,
And date your happy days from my Return;
Your Conversation and your Vertuous Charms,
Your melting Kisses and your faithful Arms,
Shall be the future Comforts of my Life,
Who can need more that has so chast a Wife.

Chloe.
Thanks, my Dear Damon, my Delight each Day,
Shall be to Love, to Honour and Obey,
And if my Beauty cannot please your Eye,
In Duty I'll the want of Charms supply,
Own e'ery Fault, beg Pardon on my Knees,
Always submit and study how to please.

Damon.
Tho the young Husband shou'd imprudent prove,
Still let the Wife preserve her Nuptial Love,
His vicious Pleasures soon will lose their Tast,
Her Goodness will entice him back at last,
Tho for a time her Usage may be hard,
Yet Virtue never fails to meet Reward.