 | Collected Poems of Thomas Parnell |  |
409
Poems from the “Lyrics” Notebook
[Fragmentary ending of a poem]
To the kind powr who taught me how to sing
Thus with the first of all wch he bestowd
Did ancient piety approach the God.
Thus with the first of all wch he bestowd
Did ancient piety approach the God.
Defended long by prejudice & pride
Ive fancyd love a cant its god defyd
but bravely you assert yr monarchs reign
wound with a look & wth a word inchain
I feel th' enchanting pain wth pleasure bow
& surely fair Aminta none but you
Can slav'ry give yet make it lovely too
Ive fancyd love a cant its god defyd
but bravely you assert yr monarchs reign
wound with a look & wth a word inchain
I feel th' enchanting pain wth pleasure bow
& surely fair Aminta none but you
Can slav'ry give yet make it lovely too
[Now kind now coy wth how much change]
Now kind now coy wth how much changeYou feed my fierce desire
As if to more extravagance
Youd manage up the fire
In vain if this your meaning be
In vain you use these wayes
Tis æqually as hard for me
To love you more as less
To other nymphs bequeath yr arts
Whose eyes more faintly shine
Or practise them at least on hearts
Which love you not like mine.
410
[Phillis I long yr powr have ownd]
Phillis I long yr powr have ownd& you still gently swayd
Now nature has yr charms dethrond
& time your chain decayd
Both are wth such perversness curst
they still would bliss destroy
this change approves tho' for ye worst
that makes the best things cloy
try then the forces of disdain
Since kindness wins not me
for know you must to rule again
another woman be.
The hint fm french.
How nicely fair Phillis you manage yr slaveYou neither reproach nor approve him
Just keep him in play wth ye hopes wch you leave
Not give him enough that you'le love him
Tis tyrrany ruling in love wth such art
Own rather the cruellest meaning
If I cant have the pleasure to conquer yr heart
I shall have some at least in complaining
On ------ Embroydring
How justly art when Cælia aids so well
Contends her ms nature to excell
The slender needles in that hand create
Such forms as hers but of a better date
The silk is placd the winding traces laid
& the gay scene with rising figures spread
here springing lillies opening roses dress
in such sweet colours & so fixd a grace
they outdoe all but those wthin her face
the well turnd leaves if by the natrall shown
You'd think they both were workd or both had grown
So strange yet beautious birds are here designd
as if she had increasd the Phœnix kind
Sure had she livd wn poets tho below
Where meritt pleaded cou'd a heavn bestow
the wondrows product of her needle here
had made her self a goddess it a starr.
Contends her ms nature to excell
The slender needles in that hand create
Such forms as hers but of a better date
The silk is placd the winding traces laid
& the gay scene with rising figures spread
here springing lillies opening roses dress
in such sweet colours & so fixd a grace
they outdoe all but those wthin her face
411
You'd think they both were workd or both had grown
So strange yet beautious birds are here designd
as if she had increasd the Phœnix kind
Sure had she livd wn poets tho below
Where meritt pleaded cou'd a heavn bestow
the wondrows product of her needle here
had made her self a goddess it a starr.
Oh may no moth so rare a piece approach
May nought corrupt it with unhallowd touch
May nothing—but alas I wast my prayr
My wishes rise to loose themselves in air.
This work wch angells wou'd not blush to own
Must once the common road of ruin run
then quickly fairest on yr life reflect
Nor all your downy hours of youth neglect
think you behold this lovely piece decayd
think you are brighter yet must sooner fade
then quitt your folly be no more severe
Why woud you have no difference appear
In how the ugly live & how the fair
& tell me Celie where the diffrence lyes
'twixt those who Cant & those who wont possess
When both alike are distanc't fm their bliss.
May nought corrupt it with unhallowd touch
May nothing—but alas I wast my prayr
My wishes rise to loose themselves in air.
This work wch angells wou'd not blush to own
Must once the common road of ruin run
then quickly fairest on yr life reflect
Nor all your downy hours of youth neglect
think you behold this lovely piece decayd
think you are brighter yet must sooner fade
then quitt your folly be no more severe
Why woud you have no difference appear
In how the ugly live & how the fair
& tell me Celie where the diffrence lyes
'twixt those who Cant & those who wont possess
When both alike are distanc't fm their bliss.
412
[Fragmentary ending of a poem]
Then do not Cloe do not moreBoast what success youve found
Tis pride to tell your conquests ore
Tis cruelty to wound.
These are the ills which Beauty breeds
its blisses woud you give
With pitty all your slaves besides
& me with love relieve.
Prop: 2, L: 11 E: Quicunque &c
Vast was his soul some favorite aboveWhose bolder pencil made a boy of love
A boy he thought him lovers less then boyes
Who barter all things for a crop of toyes
He wisely too his roving pow'r bestowd—
& in unconstant feathers drest the God
for now we love anon we hate ye same
Fantastick passion varyes all extreams
Justly he drew him for his play things darts
The little wanton sports with bleeding hearts
Justly he drew them to my cost Ive found
Unseen they fly & still secure to wound
his arms & younger follys fill my heart
But he has lost or hid his better part
His wings no more their heav'nly burthen bear
He sitts an everlasting trouble here
My bloud he fires torments my wretched breast
Drains all my bones & robs my soul of rest
Cease cruell master fly to fuller veines
Your slave is wasted with incessant pains
Imploy your force on something I alas
Am but the shadow of the man I was
Why shoud I dy who live but for your use
& to your part debauch the virgin muse
Who write of nought but arrows flames & eyes
& sing your brightest servants to the skyes.
413
[I lookd & in a moment run]
I lookd & in a moment runThe poison thro' my veins
Nor Celia think your self too young
to give me amorous pains
When heaven did the Sun create
He shone as bright as now
& wth the fires which guild them yet
The infant starrs did glow.
[O Tell if any fate you see]
O Tell if any fate you seeCan more unhappy prove
Than where the nymph will cruell be
& still the swain must love
Twere Joy to sigh & serve a fair
Coud sighs & service gain
But if they not availing are
they grow the lovers pain
Damon as thus he spoke his grief
Thought all around him pind
But Celia bringing no relief
He Car'd not what was kind
[Young Philomela's powrfull dart]
Young Philomela's powrfull dartTwo gentle shepheard's hitt
With Beauty touchd Amintors heart
& Celadons with witt
The Rivall swains on either side
Their am'rous pangs expressd
Till young Amintor she denyd
& Celadon she blessd
414
In pleasure lost his pain
The others hopeless flames expire
Beneath a cold disdain
Ye Priests of love ye Poets tell
What Cupids forces are
If when the suit goes ill or well
No more we serve a fair.
[Since bearing of a Gentle mind]
Since bearing of a Gentle mindWoud make you perfect be
Dear Celia to your self be kind
By being so to me
Hast to be happy while you can
Time flys and pleasures flow
Nor ere will have the Chance again
To be so long as now
Give me a kiss now give me more
And now another bliss
For Love has such a world in store
We need not dy on this
Twas thus Amintor Celia wood
the Fair expecting lay
He took the hint his point pursud
And blessd the lucky day.
[Hark the thundring Drums inviting]
Hark the thundring Drums invitingAll our forward youth to arms
Hark the trumpets sounds exciting
Manly Soules with fierce alarms
Peace affords an Idle pleasure
Glory shines an active flame
Life has but too short a Measure
Strive to make it long by fame.
See the brave by boldly daring
Raises trophys of the slain
See the brave by nothing fearing
Comes in triumph back again
The Men admire the Women love him
Fortune favours all he does
The Powrs that bless the great approve him
Praise & Lawrell crown his brows.
416
[As Celia with her Sparrow playd]
As Celia with her Sparrow playd
She took a glass unseen
Her mouth she filld
& while he billd
She spirts ye liquor in
She took a glass unseen
Her mouth she filld
& while he billd
She spirts ye liquor in
Usd to such sweet such rosy lips
He feard no treach'ry there
But love & such
Were too too much
For one poor bird to bear
He feard no treach'ry there
But love & such
Were too too much
For one poor bird to bear
Against ye Pretty fluttring fool
The Mighty foes combine
So down he Sunk
Bewitchd or drunk
By Beauty or wth wine
The Mighty foes combine
So down he Sunk
Bewitchd or drunk
By Beauty or wth wine
But ere left ye Chirping cup
& dropp'd the little head,
The folks who guess
What Birds express
have told me thus he said,
& dropp'd the little head,
The folks who guess
What Birds express
have told me thus he said,
How use the various scenes of joy
at various times to reign?
Men kiss'd in one
They drunk anon
Then after kiss'd again.
at various times to reign?
Men kiss'd in one
They drunk anon
Then after kiss'd again.
But Celia shews short life to grasp
A double store of blisses,
While by her Means
A Bird obtains
At once both Drink & kisses.
A double store of blisses,
While by her Means
A Bird obtains
At once both Drink & kisses.
| Collected Poems of Thomas Parnell | |