 | Poems on several occasions |  |
140
The BALL.
'Twas Christmas season ever dear,
Replete with joy and merry cheer,
When two young Bucks arriv'd
At Woodstock town, to spend their time,
To taste the pleasures of youth's prime;
A ramble long contriv'd.
Replete with joy and merry cheer,
When two young Bucks arriv'd
At Woodstock town, to spend their time,
To taste the pleasures of youth's prime;
A ramble long contriv'd.
The day was spent with much delight,
All cares were banish'd at the sight
Of Blenheim the renown'd:
New scenes kept rising to each view,
While fresh-blown air did health renew,
When they the hill-tops found.
All cares were banish'd at the sight
Of Blenheim the renown'd:
New scenes kept rising to each view,
While fresh-blown air did health renew,
When they the hill-tops found.
141
Variety's delightful theme,
By Pleasure held in much esteem,
Then bid the youths advance,
At night's return, unto the Hall,
To see the humours of a Ball,
Or join in sprightly dance.
By Pleasure held in much esteem,
Then bid the youths advance,
At night's return, unto the Hall,
To see the humours of a Ball,
Or join in sprightly dance.
They thither went, with Bacchus fir'd,
Love's aid, and much the nymphs admir'd;
When lo! o'ercome with bliss,
To see the sparklers moving round;
Oh pleasing sight! that instant crown'd
Their raptures with a kiss.
Love's aid, and much the nymphs admir'd;
When lo! o'ercome with bliss,
To see the sparklers moving round;
Oh pleasing sight! that instant crown'd
Their raptures with a kiss.
Most grievous fault! what can atone
For thus addressing flesh and bone?
While swains close wrapt in gloves
(The modern beaux to imitate,
Ah! how unlike the Sabines date,
When Romans stole their loves)
For thus addressing flesh and bone?
While swains close wrapt in gloves
(The modern beaux to imitate,
Ah! how unlike the Sabines date,
When Romans stole their loves)
142
Would not presume to touch the hand
Of any fair one, lest the brand
Ill-manner'd and most rude,
Should them o'ertake with hasty stride,
Much rather would they yield to Pride,
Which sway'd an ancient prude.
Of any fair one, lest the brand
Ill-manner'd and most rude,
Should them o'ertake with hasty stride,
Much rather would they yield to Pride,
Which sway'd an ancient prude.
Thus Ign'rance gain'd despotick sway,
Nor yet could Reason's brightest ray
Refine a silly churl;
For soon Confusion made the choice
Of this vain prattler's talking voice,
Discretion thence to hurl.
Nor yet could Reason's brightest ray
Refine a silly churl;
For soon Confusion made the choice
Of this vain prattler's talking voice,
Discretion thence to hurl.
Chagrin'd and sicken'd at such noise,
Where both had fram'd most pleasing joys,
They straitway bid adieu
To Woodstock's clime, with this remark,
That her dear sons were in the dark
Of Wisdom's lovely hue.
Where both had fram'd most pleasing joys,
They straitway bid adieu
To Woodstock's clime, with this remark,
That her dear sons were in the dark
Of Wisdom's lovely hue.
| Poems on several occasions | |