Matthew Prior. Dialogues of the Dead and Other Works in Prose and Verse. The Text Edited by A. R. Waller |
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| POEMS ATTRIBUTED TO PRIOR |
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 | Matthew Prior. Dialogues of the Dead and Other Works |  |
365
POEMS ATTRIBUTED TO PRIOR
366
AN ANSWER TO THE Curious MAID. A TALE.
To Cloe's Lap all Men must yield;
Against this Part there is no shield.
Late Miscel.
Against this Part there is no shield.
Late Miscel.
Thy Muse, O Bard! that Wonders tell,
Fair CLOE's Charms Below Reveals;
The Blissful Seat all Men Adore,
When felt; when seen, that strikes no more:
Tho' thus thy Muse Displays the Place,
Full oft Review'd in Shining Glass;
Yet still Neglects thy vent'rous Lyre,
The Greatest Joys which Youths inspire.
Fair CLOE's Charms Below Reveals;
The Blissful Seat all Men Adore,
When felt; when seen, that strikes no more:
Tho' thus thy Muse Displays the Place,
Full oft Review'd in Shining Glass;
Yet still Neglects thy vent'rous Lyre,
The Greatest Joys which Youths inspire.
As Lab'rors in the Oozy Mine,
Must deep Descend, (as Lakes of Brine)
In Caverns dark, thro' Veins below,
Thro' Mazes, Turnings, Windings go,
Earth's Treasures far beneath unbind,
The Gold and Silver Oar to find;
So must each Swain his Courage prove,
Within, to seek the Joys of Love.
Must deep Descend, (as Lakes of Brine)
In Caverns dark, thro' Veins below,
Thro' Mazes, Turnings, Windings go,
Earth's Treasures far beneath unbind,
The Gold and Silver Oar to find;
So must each Swain his Courage prove,
Within, to seek the Joys of Love.
When Ships at Sea, in Storms are tost,
By furious Gales in Tempest lost;
When foaming Waves disturb the Main;
Below the Waters move Serene;
Thus Ruff to view tho' CLOE's Pride,
Within the greatest Charms reside.
By furious Gales in Tempest lost;
When foaming Waves disturb the Main;
Below the Waters move Serene;
Thus Ruff to view tho' CLOE's Pride,
Within the greatest Charms reside.
367
'Tis no One Toy that wins the Swain,
That gives to Youthful DAMON Pain;
The Eyes like Stars, and shining Hair,
The globous Breasts our Youths Ensnare;
Fine Ivory Limbs conceal'd, Surprize;
The Vale, and Mount, and Snowy Thighs,
Of Beauteous CLOE ne'er employ'd
In Love, nor Ever Once Enjoy'd;
He's more than Man that These can view,
And not the Game of Love persue.
That gives to Youthful DAMON Pain;
The Eyes like Stars, and shining Hair,
The globous Breasts our Youths Ensnare;
Fine Ivory Limbs conceal'd, Surprize;
The Vale, and Mount, and Snowy Thighs,
Of Beauteous CLOE ne'er employ'd
In Love, nor Ever Once Enjoy'd;
He's more than Man that These can view,
And not the Game of Love persue.
When panting Breast to Breast is join'd,
We Feast on Raptures unconfin'd,
Vast and Luxuriant, such as prove,
The Immortality of Love.
We Feast on Raptures unconfin'd,
Vast and Luxuriant, such as prove,
The Immortality of Love.
Love's Pallace fills each Breast with Fire,
This Damon moves with strong Desire:
As Lillies fair the Banks adorn,
And Violets in the Bosom worn;
As near some purling Streams are seen,
The spreading Boughs of Willow Green;
As Trees that grace the verdant Plain,
And Hills compleat the Rural Scene;
As Noble Mansions furnish'd round,
With Hangings fair and Fringe abound;
So CLOE gay has pow'rful Charms,
To set off what the Lover warms.
This Damon moves with strong Desire:
As Lillies fair the Banks adorn,
And Violets in the Bosom worn;
As near some purling Streams are seen,
The spreading Boughs of Willow Green;
As Trees that grace the verdant Plain,
And Hills compleat the Rural Scene;
As Noble Mansions furnish'd round,
With Hangings fair and Fringe abound;
So CLOE gay has pow'rful Charms,
To set off what the Lover warms.
No single Joy the Swain excites,
'Tis All the Female that invites;
Her Sense, her Wit, her Beauties all,
By which the Youthful Lovers fall.
'Tis All the Female that invites;
Her Sense, her Wit, her Beauties all,
By which the Youthful Lovers fall.
As Warriors in the Martial Field,
Make stubborn Foes to Conduct yield;
By various Arts and Toils prevail,
When Canons loud and Mortars fail;
Thus when their Charms Below are vain,
By others Females Conquest gain.
Make stubborn Foes to Conduct yield;
By various Arts and Toils prevail,
When Canons loud and Mortars fail;
Thus when their Charms Below are vain,
By others Females Conquest gain.
FINIS.
368
THE LYON AND THE FOX.
A lyon by his valiant Deeds preferr'd,
Was made the shepherd of a stately Herd;
And carefully defends his Flock from Foes,
Tho' pow'rful Enemies their Peace oppose;
And they who offer any Injury
Soon feel his Fury and are sure to die;
The Trust he bore he did so well discharge,
His Mistress daily did his Pow'r enlarge:
For each good Deed She bore so much regard,
That each great Act ne'er mist a great Reward.
Was made the shepherd of a stately Herd;
And carefully defends his Flock from Foes,
Tho' pow'rful Enemies their Peace oppose;
And they who offer any Injury
Soon feel his Fury and are sure to die;
The Trust he bore he did so well discharge,
His Mistress daily did his Pow'r enlarge:
For each good Deed She bore so much regard,
That each great Act ne'er mist a great Reward.
Whilst he abroad thus serviceable were,
Reynard at Home did no less Glory share
With Prudence manag'd mystick State Affairs,
As skill'd in them as th' other was in Wars.
He with such Faithfulness discharg'd his Trust,
Esteem'd by all to be both Wise and Just;
And in his Service so successful Prov'd,
His Mistress Him next to the Lyon lov'd:
Which when the Lyon saw he angry grew
Being now grown Great he was grown haughty too.
A Partner in Glory he wou'd not allow,
And strives to work the Fox's overthrow.
As wicked Men do never want pretence,
When they wou'd wrong unspotted Innocence.
So He wou'd Treason lay upon his Head,
And make him bleed for what another did:
He wou'd against all Reason and all Laws,
First have him flea'd, and then he'd tell the Cause.
Reynard at Home did no less Glory share
With Prudence manag'd mystick State Affairs,
As skill'd in them as th' other was in Wars.
He with such Faithfulness discharg'd his Trust,
Esteem'd by all to be both Wise and Just;
And in his Service so successful Prov'd,
His Mistress Him next to the Lyon lov'd:
Which when the Lyon saw he angry grew
Being now grown Great he was grown haughty too.
A Partner in Glory he wou'd not allow,
And strives to work the Fox's overthrow.
As wicked Men do never want pretence,
When they wou'd wrong unspotted Innocence.
So He wou'd Treason lay upon his Head,
And make him bleed for what another did:
He wou'd against all Reason and all Laws,
First have him flea'd, and then he'd tell the Cause.
369
The Fox had Truth and Justice on his side,
And all his Actions this base Deed denied.
He soon his former Lustre did regain,
And wipes away the Lyons Fatal stain:
He patiently puts up the Injury;
But in a proper time reveng'd will be.
The haughty Lyon now was grown so great,
He ne'er expected any Change of State:
And the Allowance that his Mistress gave,
He thought too little, He still more wou'd have;
And watchful Reynard by his Subtilty,
Did soon perceive the Lyons Roguery;
Informs his Mistress, that what She allows
He on himself, not on Her Flock bestows,
Which He not only said, but prov'd it too,
And justly did procure his Overthrow.
And all his Actions this base Deed denied.
He soon his former Lustre did regain,
And wipes away the Lyons Fatal stain:
He patiently puts up the Injury;
But in a proper time reveng'd will be.
The haughty Lyon now was grown so great,
He ne'er expected any Change of State:
And the Allowance that his Mistress gave,
He thought too little, He still more wou'd have;
And watchful Reynard by his Subtilty,
Did soon perceive the Lyons Roguery;
Informs his Mistress, that what She allows
He on himself, not on Her Flock bestows,
Which He not only said, but prov'd it too,
And justly did procure his Overthrow.
THE MORAL.
A Man in Pow'r shou'd always cautious beIn off'ring any one an Injury;
Lest fickle Fortune shou'd Reduce his State,
And bring him Low, and make the other Great;
When of his help perhaps he'll stand in need,
If not, He's able to revenge the Deed.
FINIS.
370
An EPISTLE from the Elector of BAVARIA to the FRENCH King, after the Battle of Ramillies.
If yet, great Sir, your heart can comfort know,
And the returning sighs less frequent flow;
If yet your ear can suffer Anna's fame,
And bear, without a start, her Marlbro's name;
If half the slain o'er wide Ramillia spread,
Are yet forgot, and in your fancy dead:
And the returning sighs less frequent flow;
If yet your ear can suffer Anna's fame,
And bear, without a start, her Marlbro's name;
If half the slain o'er wide Ramillia spread,
Are yet forgot, and in your fancy dead:
Attend, and be yourself, while I recite
(Oh! that I only can of losses wri[t]e!)
To what a mighty sum our ills amount,
And give a faithful, tho' a sad account.
(Oh! that I only can of losses wri[t]e!)
To what a mighty sum our ills amount,
And give a faithful, tho' a sad account.
Let not Bavaria be condemn'd unheard,
Nor, 'till examin'd, have his conduct clear'd;
Charge not on me alone that fatal day,
Your own commanders bore too great a sway.
Think! Sir, with pity think! what I have lost,
My native realms and my paternal coast,
All that a firm confed'rate could bestow,
Ev'n faith and fame, if you believe the foe.
Think what a heavy load o'erwhelms my breast,
With its own sorrows and with yours opprest;
After one battle lost, and country gone,
Vanquish'd again, alas! and twice undone.
Nor, 'till examin'd, have his conduct clear'd;
Charge not on me alone that fatal day,
Your own commanders bore too great a sway.
Think! Sir, with pity think! what I have lost,
My native realms and my paternal coast,
All that a firm confed'rate could bestow,
Ev'n faith and fame, if you believe the foe.
Think what a heavy load o'erwhelms my breast,
With its own sorrows and with yours opprest;
After one battle lost, and country gone,
Vanquish'd again, alas! and twice undone.
Oh! where shall I begin? what language find
To heal the raging anguish of your mind?
Or if you deign a willing ear to lend,
Oh! where will my disastrous story end?
To heal the raging anguish of your mind?
Or if you deign a willing ear to lend,
Oh! where will my disastrous story end?
Conquest I often promis'd, I confess,
And who from such a pow'r could promise less?
There Gallia's force, and here Bavaria's shines,
Th' experienc'd houshold fills our crowded lines;
Already had our tow'ring thoughts o'er thrown
The Belgian host, while we survey'd our own,
Destroy'd their provinces with sword and flame,
Let in their seas, and sack'd their Amsterdam;
Already had we shar'd the fancy'd spoil,
(Imaginary trophies crown'd our toil)
Batavian standards at this temple gave,
In that the British crosses doom'd to wave,
A rural seat assign'd each captive chief,
In flow'ry gardens to assuage his grief,
And by his Arts, and first escape prepar'd,
On Marlbro had bestow'd a double guard.
And who from such a pow'r could promise less?
There Gallia's force, and here Bavaria's shines,
Th' experienc'd houshold fills our crowded lines;
Already had our tow'ring thoughts o'er thrown
The Belgian host, while we survey'd our own,
371
Let in their seas, and sack'd their Amsterdam;
Already had we shar'd the fancy'd spoil,
(Imaginary trophies crown'd our toil)
Batavian standards at this temple gave,
In that the British crosses doom'd to wave,
A rural seat assign'd each captive chief,
In flow'ry gardens to assuage his grief,
And by his Arts, and first escape prepar'd,
On Marlbro had bestow'd a double guard.
Paris impatient for the conquer'd foe,
Hasten'd the tuneful hymn and solemn show;
Triumphal chariots for the victor stay'd,
And finish'd arches cast a pompous shade;
With nicest art the bards had dress'd their lays,
Of nothing fearful but to reach our praise;
But all our hopes and expectation crost,
What lines have we? what fame has Boileau lost?
Hasten'd the tuneful hymn and solemn show;
Triumphal chariots for the victor stay'd,
And finish'd arches cast a pompous shade;
With nicest art the bards had dress'd their lays,
Of nothing fearful but to reach our praise;
But all our hopes and expectation crost,
What lines have we? what fame has Boileau lost?
Your army now, fixt on its high designs,
Rush forth like vernal swarms, and quit their lines;
Eager the Dyle they pass to seek the fight,
Judoina's fields with sudden tents are white,
The foe descends, like torrents from the hills,
And all the neighb'ring vale tumultuous fills:
Preluding cannons tell th' approaching storm,
And working armies take a dreadful form.
Rush forth like vernal swarms, and quit their lines;
Eager the Dyle they pass to seek the fight,
Judoina's fields with sudden tents are white,
The foe descends, like torrents from the hills,
And all the neighb'ring vale tumultuous fills:
Preluding cannons tell th' approaching storm,
And working armies take a dreadful form.
Soon your victorious arms, and stronger force,
Tore all the left, and broke the Belgian horse;
Their scatter'd troops are rally'd to the fight,
But only rally'd for a second flight:
As when high heav'n on some aspiring wood,
Which in close ranks, and thickest order stood,
Pours its collected stores of vengeance down,
Cedars are seen with firs and oaks o'erthrown,
Long ravages and intervals of waste!
So gor'd their lines appear'd, and so defac'd.
The third attack had ended all the war,
Sunk their whole force, and sav'd your future care,
Had Marlbro, only Marlbro, not been there.
Tore all the left, and broke the Belgian horse;
Their scatter'd troops are rally'd to the fight,
But only rally'd for a second flight:
As when high heav'n on some aspiring wood,
Which in close ranks, and thickest order stood,
Pours its collected stores of vengeance down,
Cedars are seen with firs and oaks o'erthrown,
Long ravages and intervals of waste!
So gor'd their lines appear'd, and so defac'd.
The third attack had ended all the war,
Sunk their whole force, and sav'd your future care,
Had Marlbro, only Marlbro, not been there.
As some good genius flies, to save the realms
Which, in his absence born, a plague o'erwhelms,
Through op'ning squadrons did the hero haste,
And rais'd their drooping courage as he past.
372
Through op'ning squadrons did the hero haste,
And rais'd their drooping courage as he past.
Amidst the routed Belgians he arriv'd,
Turn'd the pursuit, the fainting fight reviv'd,
Supply'd each rank, fill'd ev'ry vacant space,
And brought the battle to its former face.
Turn'd the pursuit, the fainting fight reviv'd,
Supply'd each rank, fill'd ev'ry vacant space,
And brought the battle to its former face.
With trembling hearts we see our fate decreed;
Where Marlbro fights how can a foe succeed?
To reach his life our boldest warriors strive,
On him the storm with all its thunder drive;
He stems the war, and half encompass'd round
Still clears his way, and still maintains his ground:
Amaz'd I saw him in such dangers live,
And envy'd him the death I wish'd to give.
Where Marlbro fights how can a foe succeed?
To reach his life our boldest warriors strive,
On him the storm with all its thunder drive;
He stems the war, and half encompass'd round
Still clears his way, and still maintains his ground:
Amaz'd I saw him in such dangers live,
And envy'd him the death I wish'd to give.
But how our rising pleasure shall I tell?
The thund'ring steed, and the great rider, fell:
We thank'd kind heav'n, and hop'd the victor slain,
But all our hopes, and all our thanks were vain:
Free from the guilt of any hostile wound
Alive he lay, and dreadful on the ground.
The thund'ring steed, and the great rider, fell:
We thank'd kind heav'n, and hop'd the victor slain,
But all our hopes, and all our thanks were vain:
Free from the guilt of any hostile wound
Alive he lay, and dreadful on the ground.
As when a lion in the toils is cast,
That uncontroul'd had laid the country waste,
Th' insulting hinds surround him, who before
Fled from his haunts, and trembled at his roar;
So round beset the mighty Briton lies,
And vulgar foes attempt the glorious prize.
'Till fresh battalions to his succour brought,
Contending armies for the hero fought;
The wanted steed some friendly hand prepar'd,
And met a fatal, but a great, reward:
A glorious death; of his lov'd lord bereft,
The pious office unperform'd he left.
That uncontroul'd had laid the country waste,
Th' insulting hinds surround him, who before
Fled from his haunts, and trembled at his roar;
So round beset the mighty Briton lies,
And vulgar foes attempt the glorious prize.
'Till fresh battalions to his succour brought,
Contending armies for the hero fought;
The wanted steed some friendly hand prepar'd,
And met a fatal, but a great, reward:
A glorious death; of his lov'd lord bereft,
The pious office unperform'd he left.
The rescu'd chief, by the past danger warm'd,
Our weaken'd houshold with new fury storm'd:
While all around to our admiring eyes
Fresh foes, and undiscover'd squadrons, rise.
The boasted guards that spread your name so far,
And turn'd where-e'er they fought the doubtful war,
With heaps of slaughter strow'd the fatal plain,
And did a thousand glorious things in vain;
Broke with unequal force such numbers die,
That I my self rejoic'd to see them fly.
But oh! how few preserv'd themselves by flight!
Or found a shelter from th' approaching night!
Thousands fall undistinguish'd in the dark,
And five whole leagues with wide destruction mark.
Our weaken'd houshold with new fury storm'd:
While all around to our admiring eyes
Fresh foes, and undiscover'd squadrons, rise.
The boasted guards that spread your name so far,
And turn'd where-e'er they fought the doubtful war,
With heaps of slaughter strow'd the fatal plain,
373
Broke with unequal force such numbers die,
That I my self rejoic'd to see them fly.
But oh! how few preserv'd themselves by flight!
Or found a shelter from th' approaching night!
Thousands fall undistinguish'd in the dark,
And five whole leagues with wide destruction mark.
Scarce at Ramillia did the slaughter end,
When the swift victor had approach'd Ostend;
Took in whole states and countries in his way,
Brussels, nor Ghent, nor Antwerp gain'd a day;
Within the compass of one circling moon,
The Lis, the Demer, and the Scheld his own.
What in the foe's, and what in William's hand,
Did for an age the power of France withstand;
Tho' each campaign the crowded nations drain'd,
And the fat soil with blood of thousands stain'd;
Those forts and provinces does Marlbro gain
In twice three suns, and not a soldier slain;
None can suspend the fortune of their town,
But who their harvest and their country drown;
Compell'd to call (his valour to evade)
The less destructive ocean to their aid.
When the swift victor had approach'd Ostend;
Took in whole states and countries in his way,
Brussels, nor Ghent, nor Antwerp gain'd a day;
Within the compass of one circling moon,
The Lis, the Demer, and the Scheld his own.
What in the foe's, and what in William's hand,
Did for an age the power of France withstand;
Tho' each campaign the crowded nations drain'd,
And the fat soil with blood of thousands stain'd;
Those forts and provinces does Marlbro gain
In twice three suns, and not a soldier slain;
None can suspend the fortune of their town,
But who their harvest and their country drown;
Compell'd to call (his valour to evade)
The less destructive ocean to their aid.
Oh! were our loss to Flandria's plains confin'd!
But what a train of ills are still behind?
Beyond the Adige Vendome feels the blow,
And Villars now retires without a foe,
The fate of Flanders spreads in Spain the flame,
And their new monarch robs of half his fame;
But France shall hear in some late distant reign,
And unborn Lewis curse Ramillia's plain.
But what a train of ills are still behind?
Beyond the Adige Vendome feels the blow,
And Villars now retires without a foe,
The fate of Flanders spreads in Spain the flame,
And their new monarch robs of half his fame;
But France shall hear in some late distant reign,
And unborn Lewis curse Ramillia's plain.
Whither, oh! whither shall Bavaria run?
Or where himself, or where the victor shun?
Shall I no more with vain ambition roam,
But my own subjects rule in peace at home?
Thence an abandon'd fugitive I'm driv'n,
Like the first guilty man by angry heav'n
From his bless'd mansions, where th' avenging lord
Still guards the passage with a brandish'd sword,
Or shall I to Brabantia's Courts retire,
And reign o'er distant provinces for hire?
Shall I with borrow'd government dispense,
A royal servant and another's prince?
These countries too (oh my hard fate!) are lost,
And I am banish'd from a foreign coast;
Now may I fight secure of future toils,
Of no new countries a third battle spoils.
Or where himself, or where the victor shun?
Shall I no more with vain ambition roam,
But my own subjects rule in peace at home?
Thence an abandon'd fugitive I'm driv'n,
Like the first guilty man by angry heav'n
From his bless'd mansions, where th' avenging lord
Still guards the passage with a brandish'd sword,
Or shall I to Brabantia's Courts retire,
374
Shall I with borrow'd government dispense,
A royal servant and another's prince?
These countries too (oh my hard fate!) are lost,
And I am banish'd from a foreign coast;
Now may I fight secure of future toils,
Of no new countries a third battle spoils.
Oh, Tallard! once I did thy chains deplore,
But envy now the fate I mourn'd before;
By bondage bless'd, protected by the foe,
You live contented with one overthrow;
Her captive, Britain kindly kept away
From the disgrace of the last fatal day.
But envy now the fate I mourn'd before;
By bondage bless'd, protected by the foe,
You live contented with one overthrow;
Her captive, Britain kindly kept away
From the disgrace of the last fatal day.
How does my fall the haughty victor raise,
And join divided nations in his praise;
Grateful Germania unknown titles frames,
And Churchill writes amongst her sov'reign names.
Part of her states obey a British lord,
Small part! of the great empire he restor'd.
From the proud Spaniard he extorts applause,
And rivals with the Dutch their great Nassaus.
In ev'ry language are his battles known,
The Swede and Pole for his, despise their own.
A thousand sects in him their safety place,
And our own saints are thank'd for our disgrace.
England alone, and that some pleasure gives,
Envies herself the blessings she receives.
And join divided nations in his praise;
Grateful Germania unknown titles frames,
And Churchill writes amongst her sov'reign names.
Part of her states obey a British lord,
Small part! of the great empire he restor'd.
From the proud Spaniard he extorts applause,
And rivals with the Dutch their great Nassaus.
In ev'ry language are his battles known,
The Swede and Pole for his, despise their own.
A thousand sects in him their safety place,
And our own saints are thank'd for our disgrace.
England alone, and that some pleasure gives,
Envies herself the blessings she receives.
My grief each place renews where-e'er I go,
And ev'ry art contributes to my woe;
Ramillia's plain each painter's pencil yields,
Bavaria flies in all their canvas fields:
On me, young poets their rude lays indite,
And on my sorrows practise how to write;
I in their scenes with borrow'd passion rage,
And act a shameful part on ev'ry stage.
And ev'ry art contributes to my woe;
Ramillia's plain each painter's pencil yields,
Bavaria flies in all their canvas fields:
On me, young poets their rude lays indite,
And on my sorrows practise how to write;
I in their scenes with borrow'd passion rage,
And act a shameful part on ev'ry stage.
In Flandria will the tale be ever told,
Nor will it grow, with ever telling, old:
The lisping infants will their Marlbro raise,
And their new speech grow plainer in his praise;
His story will employ their middle years,
And in their latest age recall their fears,
While to their children's children they relate
The business of a day, their country's fate:
Then lead them forth, their thoughts to entertain,
And shew the wond'ring youth Ramillia's plain;
'Twas here they fought, the houshold fled that way,
And this the spot where Marlbro prostrate lay.
Nor will it grow, with ever telling, old:
The lisping infants will their Marlbro raise,
And their new speech grow plainer in his praise;
His story will employ their middle years,
375
While to their children's children they relate
The business of a day, their country's fate:
Then lead them forth, their thoughts to entertain,
And shew the wond'ring youth Ramillia's plain;
'Twas here they fought, the houshold fled that way,
And this the spot where Marlbro prostrate lay.
Here they, perhaps, shall add Bavaria's name,
Censure his courage, and his conduct blame:
'Tis false, 'tis false, I did not basely yield,
I left indeed, but left a bloody field:
Believe not, future ages, ne'er believe
The vile aspersions which these wretches give;
If you too far my injur'd honour try,
Take heed, my ghost, it will, it shall, be nigh,
Rise in his face, and give the slave the lie.
Censure his courage, and his conduct blame:
'Tis false, 'tis false, I did not basely yield,
I left indeed, but left a bloody field:
Believe not, future ages, ne'er believe
The vile aspersions which these wretches give;
If you too far my injur'd honour try,
Take heed, my ghost, it will, it shall, be nigh,
Rise in his face, and give the slave the lie.
Why should the stars thus on Britannia smile,
And partial blessings crown the fav'rite isle?
Holland does her for their great founder own;
Britannia gave to Portugal a crown:
Twice by her queens does proud Iberia fall;
Her Edwards and her Henrys conquer'd Gaul:
The Swede her arms from late oppression freed,
And if he dares oppress, will curb the Swede.
She, from herself, decides her neighbours fates,
Rescues by turns, by turns subdues their states;
In the wide globe no part could nature stretch
Beyond her arms, and out of Britain's reach:
Who fear'd, she e'er could have Bavaria seen?
Such realms, and kingdoms, hills, and seas between?
Yet there,—oh sad remembrance of my woe!
Distant Bavaria does her triumphs show.
Proud state! must Europe lie at thy command,
No prince without thee rise, without thee stand!
What share? what part is thine of all the spoil?
Thine only is the hazard and the toil.
An empire thou hast sav'd and all its states,
Iberia's realms have felt severer fates:
What wou'dst thou more? still do thy arms advance?
Heav'n knows what doom thou hast reserv'd for France!
And partial blessings crown the fav'rite isle?
Holland does her for their great founder own;
Britannia gave to Portugal a crown:
Twice by her queens does proud Iberia fall;
Her Edwards and her Henrys conquer'd Gaul:
The Swede her arms from late oppression freed,
And if he dares oppress, will curb the Swede.
She, from herself, decides her neighbours fates,
Rescues by turns, by turns subdues their states;
In the wide globe no part could nature stretch
Beyond her arms, and out of Britain's reach:
Who fear'd, she e'er could have Bavaria seen?
Such realms, and kingdoms, hills, and seas between?
Yet there,—oh sad remembrance of my woe!
Distant Bavaria does her triumphs show.
Proud state! must Europe lie at thy command,
No prince without thee rise, without thee stand!
What share? what part is thine of all the spoil?
Thine only is the hazard and the toil.
An empire thou hast sav'd and all its states,
Iberia's realms have felt severer fates:
What wou'dst thou more? still do thy arms advance?
Heav'n knows what doom thou hast reserv'd for France!
376
From whose wise care does all the treasure rise,
That slaughter'd hosts and shatter'd fleets supplies?
From whence such boundless conquest does she reap,
Purchas'd with all her boasted millions cheap?
That slaughter'd hosts and shatter'd fleets supplies?
From whence such boundless conquest does she reap,
Purchas'd with all her boasted millions cheap?
O bless'd! oh envy'd Queen! that does command
At such a time, in such a happy land;
Great in her armies and her pow'rful fleet!
Great in her treasures! in her triumphs great!
But greater still! and what we envy most,
That can a Marlbro for her subject boast!
At such a time, in such a happy land;
Great in her armies and her pow'rful fleet!
Great in her treasures! in her triumphs great!
But greater still! and what we envy most,
That can a Marlbro for her subject boast!
Oh, Gallia! from what splendors art thou hurl'd!
The terror once of all the Western World;
Thy spreading map each year did larger grow,
New mountains still did rise, new rivers flow;
But now surrounded by thy ancient mounds,
Dost inward shrink from thy new-conquer'd bounds.
Why did not nature, far from Marlbro's worth,
In distant ages bring her Louis forth?
Each uncontroul'd had conquer'd worlds alone,
Happy! for Europe, they together shone.
The terror once of all the Western World;
Thy spreading map each year did larger grow,
New mountains still did rise, new rivers flow;
But now surrounded by thy ancient mounds,
Dost inward shrink from thy new-conquer'd bounds.
Why did not nature, far from Marlbro's worth,
In distant ages bring her Louis forth?
Each uncontroul'd had conquer'd worlds alone,
Happy! for Europe, they together shone.
Cease! Louis, cease! from wars and slaughter cease!
Oh! sue at last, 'tis time to sue, for peace!
Urge nor too far your twice unhappy fate,
Nor Marlbro's stronger arm confess too late:
Who never camps or rough encounters saw,
Can no just image of the hero draw:
He must, alas! that Marlbro truly knows
Face him in battle, and whole armies lose.
Believe me, Sir, on my unwilling breast,
Fate has his virtues one by one imprest:
With what a force our Schellemberg he storm'd!
And Blenheim's battle with what conduct form'd!
How great his vigilance; how quick his thought;
What his contempt of death, Ramillia taught.
These nature cool for peace and counsel forms,
For battle those with rage and fury warms;
But to her fav'rite Britain does impart
The coolest head at once and warmest heart;
So does Sicilia's lofty mountains show
Flames in her bosom, on her head the snow.
Oh! sue at last, 'tis time to sue, for peace!
Urge nor too far your twice unhappy fate,
Nor Marlbro's stronger arm confess too late:
Who never camps or rough encounters saw,
Can no just image of the hero draw:
He must, alas! that Marlbro truly knows
Face him in battle, and whole armies lose.
Believe me, Sir, on my unwilling breast,
Fate has his virtues one by one imprest:
With what a force our Schellemberg he storm'd!
And Blenheim's battle with what conduct form'd!
How great his vigilance; how quick his thought;
What his contempt of death, Ramillia taught.
These nature cool for peace and counsel forms,
For battle those with rage and fury warms;
But to her fav'rite Britain does impart
The coolest head at once and warmest heart;
So does Sicilia's lofty mountains show
Flames in her bosom, on her head the snow.
377
My youth with flatt'ring smiles did Fortune crown,
The more severely on my age to frown?
Of Pleasure's endless stores I drank my fill,
Officious Nature waited on my will;
The Austrian rescu'd, and the Turk o'erthrown,
Europe and Asia fill'd with my renown:
Blasted are all my glories and my fame,
Lost is my country and illustrious name;
The titles from their present lord are torn,
Which my great ancestors so long had borne;
No native honours shall my offspring grace,
The last Elector with a num'rous race.
Half my unhappy subjects lost by wars,
The rest for a worse fate the victor spares:
Were they for this entrusted to my care?
This the reward the brave, the faithful share?
My sons lament, in distant dungeons thrown,
Unacted crimes, and follies not their own;
But oh! my consort!—my o'erflowing eyes
Gush forth with tears, and all my sorrows rise,
While the dear tender exile I bemoan;
Oh royal bride! oh daughter of a throne!
Not thus I promis'd when I sought thy bed,
Thou didst the brave, the great Bavaria wed:
Curst be ambition! curst the thirst of pow'r!
And curst that once-lov'd title Emperor!
The more severely on my age to frown?
Of Pleasure's endless stores I drank my fill,
Officious Nature waited on my will;
The Austrian rescu'd, and the Turk o'erthrown,
Europe and Asia fill'd with my renown:
Blasted are all my glories and my fame,
Lost is my country and illustrious name;
The titles from their present lord are torn,
Which my great ancestors so long had borne;
No native honours shall my offspring grace,
The last Elector with a num'rous race.
Half my unhappy subjects lost by wars,
The rest for a worse fate the victor spares:
Were they for this entrusted to my care?
This the reward the brave, the faithful share?
My sons lament, in distant dungeons thrown,
Unacted crimes, and follies not their own;
But oh! my consort!—my o'erflowing eyes
Gush forth with tears, and all my sorrows rise,
While the dear tender exile I bemoan;
Oh royal bride! oh daughter of a throne!
Not thus I promis'd when I sought thy bed,
Thou didst the brave, the great Bavaria wed:
Curst be ambition! curst the thirst of pow'r!
And curst that once-lov'd title Emperor!
Excuse, great Sir, the ravings of a mind,
That can so just a cause for sorrow find;
My words too rudely may a monarch greet
For oh! was ever grief like mine discreet!
No suff'rings shall my firm alliance end,
An unsuccessful, but a faithful friend.
That can so just a cause for sorrow find;
My words too rudely may a monarch greet
For oh! was ever grief like mine discreet!
No suff'rings shall my firm alliance end,
An unsuccessful, but a faithful friend.
378
An Apology to a Lady, who told me, I cou'd not love her heartily, because I had lov'd others.
In Imitation of Mr. Waller.
Fair Sylvia, cease to blame my YouthFor having lov'd before;
So Men, e'er they have learnt the Truth,
Strange Deities adore.
My Youth ('tis true) has often rang'd,
Like Bees o'er gawdy Flow'rs;
And many thousand Loves has chang'd,
Till it was fixt in yours.
For, Sylvia, when I saw those Eyes,
'Twas soon determin'd there;
Stars might as well forsake the Skies,
And vanish into Air,
If I from this great Rule do err,
New Beauties to explore;
May I again turn Wanderer,
And never settle more.
Against Modesty in Love.
For many unsuccessful YearsAt Cynthia's Feet I lay;
And often bath'd 'em with my Tears,
Despair'd, but durst not pray.
No prostrate Wretch before the Shrine
Of any Saint above,
E'er thought his Goddess more divine,
Or paid more awful Love.
Still the disdainful Dame look'd down
With an insulting Pride;
Receiv'd my Passion with a Frown,
Or toss'd her Head aside.
When Cupid whisper'd in my Ear,
Use more prevailing Charms,
379
And clasp her in your Arms.
With eager Kisses tempt the Maid,
From Cynthia's Feet depart;
The Lips he warmly must invade,
Who wou'd possess the Heart.
With that I shook off all my Fears,
My better Fortune try'd;
And Cynthia gave, what she for Years
Had foolishly deny'd.
On a young Lady's going to Town in the Spring.
One Night unhappy Celadon,
Beneath a friendly Myrtle's Shade,
With folded Arms and Eyes cast down,
Gently repos'd his Love-sick Head:
Whilst Thyrsis sporting on the neighb'ring Plain,
Thus heard the discontented Youth complain.
Beneath a friendly Myrtle's Shade,
With folded Arms and Eyes cast down,
Gently repos'd his Love-sick Head:
Whilst Thyrsis sporting on the neighb'ring Plain,
Thus heard the discontented Youth complain.
Ask not the Cause why sickly Flow'rs
Faintly recline their drooping Heads;
As fearful of approaching Show'rs,
They strive to hide them in their Beds,
Grieving with Celadon they downward grow,
And feel with him a Sympathy of Woe.
Faintly recline their drooping Heads;
As fearful of approaching Show'rs,
They strive to hide them in their Beds,
Grieving with Celadon they downward grow,
And feel with him a Sympathy of Woe.
Chloris will go, the cruel Fair,
Regardless of her dying Swain
Leaves him to languish, to despair,
And murmur out in Sighs his Pain.
The fugitive to fair Augusta flies,
To make new Slaves, and gain new Victories.
Regardless of her dying Swain
Leaves him to languish, to despair,
And murmur out in Sighs his Pain.
The fugitive to fair Augusta flies,
To make new Slaves, and gain new Victories.
So restless Monarchs, tho' possess'd
Of all that we call State or Pow'r,
Fancy themselves but meanly blest,
Vainly ambitious still of more.
Round the wide World impatiently they roam,
Not satisfy'd with private Sway at home.
Of all that we call State or Pow'r,
Fancy themselves but meanly blest,
Vainly ambitious still of more.
Round the wide World impatiently they roam,
Not satisfy'd with private Sway at home.
380
When the Cat's away, The Mice may play.
A FABLE,
Humbly inscribd to Dr. Sw------t.
In Domibus Mures avido dente omnia captant:
In Domibus Fures avida mente omnia raptant.
In Domibus Fures avida mente omnia raptant.
A Lady once (so Stories say)
By Rats and Mice infested,
With Gins and Traps long sought to slay
The Thieves; but still they scap'd away,
And daily her molested.
By Rats and Mice infested,
With Gins and Traps long sought to slay
The Thieves; but still they scap'd away,
And daily her molested.
Great Havock 'mongst her Cheese was made,
And much the loss did grieve her:
At length Grimalkin to her Aid
She call'd (no more of Cats afraid)
And begg'd him to relieve her.
And much the loss did grieve her:
At length Grimalkin to her Aid
She call'd (no more of Cats afraid)
And begg'd him to relieve her.
Soon as Grimalkin came in view,
The Vermin back retreated;
Grimalkin swift as Lightning flew,
Thousands of Mice he daily slew,
Thousands of Rats defeated.
The Vermin back retreated;
Grimalkin swift as Lightning flew,
Thousands of Mice he daily slew,
Thousands of Rats defeated.
Ne'er Cat before such Glory won,
All People did adore him:
Grimalkin far all Cats out-shone,
And in his Lady's Favour none
Was then preferr'd before him.
All People did adore him:
Grimalkin far all Cats out-shone,
And in his Lady's Favour none
Was then preferr'd before him.
Pert Mrs. Abigail alone
Envy'd Grimalkin's Glory:
Her favourite Lap Dog now was grown
Neglected, him she did bemoan,
And rav'd like any T[or]y.
Envy'd Grimalkin's Glory:
Her favourite Lap Dog now was grown
Neglected, him she did bemoan,
And rav'd like any T[or]y.
She cannot bear, she swears she won't,
To see the Cat regarded,
But firmly is resolv'd upon 't,
And vows, that, whatsoe'er comes on 't,
She'll have the Cat discarded.
To see the Cat regarded,
But firmly is resolv'd upon 't,
And vows, that, whatsoe'er comes on 't,
She'll have the Cat discarded.
381
She Begs, she Storms, she Fawns, she Frets,
(Her Arts are all employ'd)
And tells her lady in a Pett,
Grimalkin cost her more in Meat
Than all the Rats destroy'd.
(Her Arts are all employ'd)
And tells her lady in a Pett,
Grimalkin cost her more in Meat
Than all the Rats destroy'd.
At length this Spiteful Waiting-maid
Produc'd a Thing amazing;
The Favourite Cat's a Victim made,
To satisfy this prating Jade,
And fairly turn'd a-grazing.
Produc'd a Thing amazing;
The Favourite Cat's a Victim made,
To satisfy this prating Jade,
And fairly turn'd a-grazing.
Now Lap Dog is again restor'd
Into his Lady's Favour;
Sumptuously kept at Bed and Board,
And He (so Nab has given her word)
Shall from all Vermin save Her.
Into his Lady's Favour;
Sumptuously kept at Bed and Board,
And He (so Nab has given her word)
Shall from all Vermin save Her.
Nab much exults at this Success,
And, overwhelm'd with Joy,
Her Lady fondly does caress,
And tells her Fubb can do no less,
Than all Her Foes destroy.
And, overwhelm'd with Joy,
Her Lady fondly does caress,
And tells her Fubb can do no less,
Than all Her Foes destroy.
But vain such Hopes; The Mice that fled
Return, now Grim's discarded;
Whilst Fubb till Ten, on Silken Bed,
Securely lolls his drowsy Head,
And leaves Cheese unregarded.
Return, now Grim's discarded;
Whilst Fubb till Ten, on Silken Bed,
Securely lolls his drowsy Head,
And leaves Cheese unregarded.
Nor Rats, nor Mice the Lap Dog fear,
Now uncontrol'd their Theft is:
And whatsoe'er the Vermin spare,
Nab and her Dog betwixt them share,
Nor Pie, nor Pippin left is.
Now uncontrol'd their Theft is:
And whatsoe'er the Vermin spare,
Nab and her Dog betwixt them share,
Nor Pie, nor Pippin left is.
Mean while, to cover their Deceit,
At once, and slander Grim;
Nab says, the Cat comes out of spight
To rob her Lady every Night,
So lays it all on him.
At once, and slander Grim;
Nab says, the Cat comes out of spight
To rob her Lady every Night,
So lays it all on him.
382
Nor Corn secure in Garret high,
Nor Cheesecake safe in Closet;
The Cellars now unguarded lye,
On ev'ry Shelf the Vermin Prey,
And still Grimalkin does it.
Nor Cheesecake safe in Closet;
The Cellars now unguarded lye,
On ev'ry Shelf the Vermin Prey,
And still Grimalkin does it.
The Gains from Corn apace decay'd,
No Baggs to Market go:
Complaints came from the Dairy-maid,
The Mice had spoil'd her Butter Trade,
And eke her Cheese also.
No Baggs to Market go:
Complaints came from the Dairy-maid,
The Mice had spoil'd her Butter Trade,
And eke her Cheese also.
With this same Lady once there liv'd
A trusty Servant Maid,
Who, hearing this, full much was griev'd,
Fearing her Lady was deceiv'd,
And hasten'd to her Aid.
A trusty Servant Maid,
Who, hearing this, full much was griev'd,
Fearing her Lady was deceiv'd,
And hasten'd to her Aid.
Much Art she us'd for to disclose
And find out the Deceit;
At length she to the Lady goes,
Discovers her Domestick Foes,
And opens all the Cheat.
And find out the Deceit;
At length she to the Lady goes,
Discovers her Domestick Foes,
And opens all the Cheat.
Struck with the Sense of Her Mistake,
The Lady discontented,
Resolves again Her Cat to take,
And ne're again Her Cat forsake
Least she again repent it.
The Lady discontented,
Resolves again Her Cat to take,
And ne're again Her Cat forsake
Least she again repent it.
A FABLE OF THE WIDOW AND HER CAT.
A widow kept a favourite Cat,
At first a gentle Creature;
But when he was grown Sleek and Fat,
With many a Mouse, and many a Rat,
He soon disclos'd his Nature.
At first a gentle Creature;
But when he was grown Sleek and Fat,
With many a Mouse, and many a Rat,
He soon disclos'd his Nature.
383
The Fox and He were friends of old,
Nor cou'd they now be parted;
They Nightly slunk to rob the Fold,
Devour'd the Lambs, the Fleeces sold,
And Puss grew Lion-hearted.
Nor cou'd they now be parted;
They Nightly slunk to rob the Fold,
Devour'd the Lambs, the Fleeces sold,
And Puss grew Lion-hearted.
He scratch'd her Maid, he stole the Cream,
He tore her best lac'd Pinner;
Nor Chanticleer upon the Beam,
Nor Chick, nor Duckling 'scapes, when Grim
Invites the Fox to Dinner.
He tore her best lac'd Pinner;
Nor Chanticleer upon the Beam,
Nor Chick, nor Duckling 'scapes, when Grim
Invites the Fox to Dinner.
The Dame full wisely did Decree,
For fear he shou'd dispatch more,
That the false Wretch shou'd worry'd be;
But in a saucy manner He
Thus Speech'd it like a L[echme]re:
For fear he shou'd dispatch more,
That the false Wretch shou'd worry'd be;
But in a saucy manner He
Thus Speech'd it like a L[echme]re:
“Must I, against all Right and Law,
“Like Pole-Cat vile be treated?
“I! who so long with Tooth and Claw
“Have kept Domestick Mice in awe,
“And Foreign Foes defeated!
“Like Pole-Cat vile be treated?
“I! who so long with Tooth and Claw
“Have kept Domestick Mice in awe,
“And Foreign Foes defeated!
“Your Golden Pippins, and your Pies,
“How oft have I defended?
“'Tis true, the Pinner which you prize
“I tore in Frolick; to your Eyes
“I never Harm intended.
“How oft have I defended?
“'Tis true, the Pinner which you prize
“I tore in Frolick; to your Eyes
“I never Harm intended.
“I am a Cat of honour.”—“Stay,”
Quo' She, “no longer parley;
“Whate'er you did in Battle slay,
“By Law of Arms became your Prey,
“I hope you won it fairly.
Quo' She, “no longer parley;
“Whate'er you did in Battle slay,
“By Law of Arms became your Prey,
“I hope you won it fairly.
“Of this, we'll grant you stand acquit,
“But not of your Outrages:
“Tell me, Perfidious! Was it fit
“To make my Cream a Perquisite,
“And Steal, to mend your Wages?
“But not of your Outrages:
“Tell me, Perfidious! Was it fit
“To make my Cream a Perquisite,
“And Steal, to mend your Wages?
384
“So flagrant is Thy insolence,
“So vile Thy Breach of Trust is,
“That longer with Thee to Dispense,
“Were want of Pow'r, or want of Sense:
“Here, Towzer!—Do Him Justice.”
“So vile Thy Breach of Trust is,
“That longer with Thee to Dispense,
“Were want of Pow'r, or want of Sense:
“Here, Towzer!—Do Him Justice.”
A Paraphrase on the French.
In Grey-hair'd Celia's wither'd Arms
As mighty Lewis lay,
She cry'd, if I have any Charms,
My Dearest let's away.
As mighty Lewis lay,
She cry'd, if I have any Charms,
My Dearest let's away.
For you, my Love, is all my Fear,
Hark how the Drums do Rattle:
Alas, Sir! what shou'd you do here
In dreadful Day of Battle?
Hark how the Drums do Rattle:
Alas, Sir! what shou'd you do here
In dreadful Day of Battle?
Let little Orange stay and fight,
For Danger's his Diversion;
The Wise will think you in the Right,
Not to expose your Person:
For Danger's his Diversion;
The Wise will think you in the Right,
Not to expose your Person:
Nor vex your Thoughts how to repair
The Ruins of your Glory:
You ought to leave so mean a Care
To those who Pen your Story.
The Ruins of your Glory:
You ought to leave so mean a Care
To those who Pen your Story.
Are not Boileau and Corneile paid
For Panegyrick Writing?
They know how Heroes may be made
Without the help of Fighting.
For Panegyrick Writing?
They know how Heroes may be made
Without the help of Fighting.
When Foes too saucily approach,
'Tis best to leave them fairly:
Put Six good Horses in your Coach,
And carry me to Marly.
'Tis best to leave them fairly:
Put Six good Horses in your Coach,
And carry me to Marly.
Let Bouflers, to secure your Fame,
Go take some Town, or buy it;
Whilst you, great Sir, at Nostredame,
Te Deum sing in quiet.
Go take some Town, or buy it;
Whilst you, great Sir, at Nostredame,
Te Deum sing in quiet.
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