University of Virginia Library

Second CHORUS.
Of Athenian Youths and Virgins. By Mr. POPE.
YOUTHS.
O Tyrant Love! hast thou possest
The prudent, learn'd, and virtuous Breast?
Wisdom and Wit in vain reclaim,
And Arts but soften us to feel thy Flame.
Varius with Blushes owns he loves,
And Brutus tenderly reproves.
Why, Virtue, dost thou blame Desire,
Which Nature has imprest?
Why, Nature, dost thou soonest fire
The mild and gen'rous Breast?

VIRGINS.
Love's purer Flames the Gods approve;
The Gods, and Brutus bend to Love:
Brutus for absent Portia sighs,
And sterner Cassius melts at Junia's Eyes.
What is loose Love? A wand'ring Fire,
A transient Fit of fond Desire.
But Hymen's Flames like Stars unite,
And burn for ever one;
Chaste, as cold Cynthia's Virgin Light,
Productive as the Sun.

YOUTHS.
What various Joys on One attend,
As Son, as Father, Husband, Friend?
Whether his hoary Sire he spies,
And finds a thousand grateful Thoughts arise,
Or meets his Spouse's fonder Eye,
Or views his smiling Progeny;
What tender Passions take theit turns?
What home-felt Raptures move?
His Heart now melts, now leaps, now burns,
With Rev'rence, Hope, and Love.

CHORUS of Both.
Hence guilty Joys, Distastes, Surmises,
False Oaths, false Tears, Deceits, Disguises,
Dangers, Doubts, Delays, Surprises,
(Fires that scorch, yet dare not shine)
Purest Love's unwasting Treasure,
Constant Faith, fair Hope, long Leisure,
Days of Ease, and Nights of Pleasure,
Sacred Hymen! these are thine.