The unequal match A tale. By the Author of the Curious Maid [i.e. Hildebrand Jacob]. The Second Edition |
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 | The unequal match |  |
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THE UNEQUAL MATCH: A TALE.
Two
against one, when well agreed,
Are Odds at any Game indeed!
And oft I've heard old Gamesters say,
They've still the better of the Lay,
Who first attack, defend who may.
Our Case, I think, is pretty clear,
As you shall judge: sit down, and hear.
Are Odds at any Game indeed!
And oft I've heard old Gamesters say,
They've still the better of the Lay,
Who first attack, defend who may.
Our Case, I think, is pretty clear,
As you shall judge: sit down, and hear.
TWO doughty Wights full long had try'd
To conquer gay Statira's Pride.
In vain, for still the prudent Fair
Her Frowns, and Smiles so well did share,
That neither hop'd, or cou'd despair.
To conquer gay Statira's Pride.
In vain, for still the prudent Fair
Her Frowns, and Smiles so well did share,
That neither hop'd, or cou'd despair.
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Worn with hard Duty, and Delays,
Attending Toilette, Park, and Plays,
And vainly dancing up and down
On trifling Errands round the Town,
Frank to each other they confess
Their mutual Ardour, and Success,
Their fruitless Pains, their doubtful Fate,
And swear Revenge at any rate.
Attending Toilette, Park, and Plays,
And vainly dancing up and down
On trifling Errands round the Town,
Frank to each other they confess
Their mutual Ardour, and Success,
Their fruitless Pains, their doubtful Fate,
And swear Revenge at any rate.
VENGEANCE, cry'd Ned, o'ercome with Ire,
Vengeance, not Love, I now require!
Revenge, Revenge, to Heav'n I vow!
My Friend, we'll be reveng'd!—but how?
Vengeance, not Love, I now require!
Revenge, Revenge, to Heav'n I vow!
My Friend, we'll be reveng'd!—but how?
After a shrewd, judicious Pause,
Maturely turning o'er the Cause,
Take my Advice, quoth subtle Dick,
If we don't shew her Trick for Trick,
Why then may I be buried Quick!
Observe me: thus my Plot is laid:
While you behind surprise the Maid,
Before, my Batt'ry shall be play'd:
Honour 'gainst two ne'er kept the Field;
One Fort, at least, the Fair must yield.
Maturely turning o'er the Cause,
Take my Advice, quoth subtle Dick,
If we don't shew her Trick for Trick,
Why then may I be buried Quick!
Observe me: thus my Plot is laid:
While you behind surprise the Maid,
Before, my Batt'ry shall be play'd:
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One Fort, at least, the Fair must yield.
By Jove! quoth Ned, in sudden Glee,
Rapping his Knuckles on his Knee,
You've glanc'd upon my very Thought!
The Jilt to Justice shall be brought.
While we together thus attack,
'Tis odds she tumbles Edge, or Back.
Rapping his Knuckles on his Knee,
You've glanc'd upon my very Thought!
The Jilt to Justice shall be brought.
While we together thus attack,
'Tis odds she tumbles Edge, or Back.
Fortune, who with these Sparks conspir'd,
Refus'd not long, what they desir'd:
The Nymph was taken unattir'd,
Alone, in Bed, no Creature nigh;
Prepar'd but ill to fence or fly.
Refus'd not long, what they desir'd:
The Nymph was taken unattir'd,
Alone, in Bed, no Creature nigh;
Prepar'd but ill to fence or fly.
O, now behold a moving Sight!
Poor Virtue in a dreadful Fright,
On all Sides press'd, in each Redoubt
Besieg'd by Blades resolv'd and stout!
Poor Virtue in a dreadful Fright,
On all Sides press'd, in each Redoubt
Besieg'd by Blades resolv'd and stout!
Chast Lucrece ne'er was so beset,
As now they hamper'd our Coquet;
Or Philomel in her Disgrace
More scar'd by the lewd King of Thrace.
As now they hamper'd our Coquet;
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More scar'd by the lewd King of Thrace.
Which Way so e'er her Charms are bent,
The Foes their threat'ning Arms present!
Charybdis' Fury while she shuns,
On Scylla's Horrours strait she runs.
Caught in this treach'rous Ambuscade,
She call'd amain, and scream'd, and pray'd.
The Foes their threat'ning Arms present!
Charybdis' Fury while she shuns,
On Scylla's Horrours strait she runs.
Caught in this treach'rous Ambuscade,
She call'd amain, and scream'd, and pray'd.
Help
Heav'n she cry'd while help is good!
Can Two to One be long withstood?
Thus must my boasted Virtue end?
Is there no God to stand it's Friend?
Can Two to One be long withstood?
Thus must my boasted Virtue end?
Is there no God to stand it's Friend?
Venus, who heard her from on High,
And saw the Nymph must needs comply;
That Honour 'gainst a Brace so bold,
Both Citadels cou'd never hold;
Slid down, and with a roguish Sneer,
Thus whisper'd in her virgin Ear:
And saw the Nymph must needs comply;
That Honour 'gainst a Brace so bold,
Both Citadels cou'd never hold;
Slid down, and with a roguish Sneer,
Thus whisper'd in her virgin Ear:
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Cease fond Statira, to resist;
And give up what may ne'er be misst!
To choose the least of Evils two,
Is all the wisest Heads can do.
Will you not see that you're o'erpower'd?
Fall back in Time, and be deflower'd!
And give up what may ne'er be misst!
To choose the least of Evils two,
Is all the wisest Heads can do.
Will you not see that you're o'erpower'd?
Fall back in Time, and be deflower'd!
FINIS.
| The unequal match | |