Matthew Prior. Poems on Several Occasions The Text Edited by A. R. Waller |
 |
TO
Mr. HOWARD:
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 1. |
| 2. |
| 3. |
|
| 1. |
| 2. |
| 3. |
 | Matthew Prior. Poems on Several Occasions |  |
TO Mr. HOWARD:
An ODE.
I
Dear Howard, from the soft assaults of Love,Poets and Painters never are Secure:
Can I untouch'd the Fair ones Passions move?
Or Thou draw Beauty, and not feel it's Pow'r?
II
To Great Apelles when Young Ammon broughtThe darling Idol of his Captive Heart;
And the pleas'd Nymph with kind Attention sat,
To have Her Charms recorded by His Art:
57
III
The am'rous Master own'd Her potent Eyes;Sigh'd when He look'd, and trembl'd as He drew:
Each flowing Line confirm'd his first Surprize;
And as the Piece advanc'd, the Passion grew.
IV
While Philip's Son, while Venus' Son was near,What different Tortures does his Bosom feel?
Great was the Rival, and the God severe:
Nor could He hide his Flame, nor durst reveal.
V
The Prince, renown'd in Bounty as in Arms,With Pity saw the ill-conceal'd Distress;
Quitted His Title to Campaspe's Charms,
And gave the Fair one to the Friend's Embrace.
VI
Thus the more beauteous Cloe sat to Thee,Good Howard, emu'lous of the Græcian Art:
But happy Thou, from Cupid's Arrow free,
And Flames that pierc'd Thy Predecessor's Heart.
VII
Had Thy poor Breast receiv'd an equal Pain;Had I been vested with the Monarch's Pow'r;
Thou must have sigh'd, unlucky Youth, in vain;
Nor from My Bounty hadst Thou found a Cure.
VIII
Tho' to convince Thee, that the Friend did feelA kind Concern for Thy ill-fated Care,
I would have sooth'd the Flame, I could not heal;
Giv'n Thee the World; tho' I with-held the Fair.
| Matthew Prior. Poems on Several Occasions | |