And that fond love, which should afford relief,
Does but increase the anguish of their grief:
While both could easier their own sorrows bear,
Than the fad knowledge of each other's çare.
Yet
may you rather feel that virtuous pain,
Than sell your violated charms for gain;
Than wed the wretch whom you despise or hate,
For the vain glare of useless wealth or ftate.
The most abandon'd prostitutes are they,
Who not to love, but avarice, fall a prey :
Nor aught avails the specious name of wife;
A maid so wedded is a whore for life.
Ev’n in the happiest choice, where favouring Heaven
Has equal love and easy fortune given,
Think not, the Husband gain'd, that all is done :
The prize of happiness muft ftill be won :
And oft, the careless find it to their cost,
The lover in the husband may be loft ;
The Graces might alone his heart allure;
They and the Virtues meeting must secure.
Let ev’n your prudence wear the pleasing dress
Of care for him, and anxious tenderness.
From kind concern about his weal or woe,
Let each domestic duty seem to flow.
The boufhold fceptre if he bids you bear,
Make it your pride his servant to appear :
Endearing thus the common acts of life,
The mistress still shall charm him in the wife ;
And wrinkled age shall unobferv'd come on,
Before his eye perceives one beauty gone :-
Ev'n o'er your cold, your ever-sacred urn,
His constant flame shall unextinguish'd burn.
Thus-I, Belinda, would your charms improve,
And form your heart to all the arts of love.
The task.were harder, to secure my own
Against the power of those already known :
For well you twist the secret chains that bind.
With gentle force the captivated mind,
Skilld every soft attraction to employ,
Each flattering hope, and each alluring joy.
I own your genius ; and from you receive
The rules of pleasing, which to you I give..
WHEN Delia on the plain appears,
Aw'd by a thousand tender fears, I would approach, but dare not move: Tell me, my heart, if this be. love ?
II.
Whene'er she speaks, my ravish'd ear:
No other voice but hers can hear,
No other wit but hers
approve :
Tell me, my heart, if this be love?
III.
If the some other youth commend,
Though I was once his fondest friend,
His instant enemy I prove :
Tell me, my heart, if this be love?
IV.
When she is absent, I.no more
Delight in all that pleasd before,
The cleareft spring, or shadiest grove:
Tell me, my heart, if this be love?
V.
When, fond of power, of beauty vain,
Her nets the spread for every swain,
I
krove to hate, but vainly strove : Tell me, my heart, if this be love ?
Will you in every look declare
Your heart is still the same; And heal each idly-anxious care
Our fears in absence frame?
Thus, Delia, thus I paint the scene,
When shortly we shall meet; And try what yet remains between
Of loitering time to cheat,
V. But, if the dream that fooths
my
mind Shall false and groundless prove ; If I am doom'd at length to find
You have forgot to love :
VI.
All I of Venus ask, is this;
No more to let us join :
But grant me here the flattering bliss,
To die, and think you mine,
IN IMITATION OF HORACE AND LYDIAS
Written in the Year 1732.
TEL
ELL me, my Delia, tell me wliy
My kindeft, fondeft looks you fly?
What means this cloud upon your brow?
Have I offended ? Tell me how!
Some change has happend in your heart,
Some rival there has stol'n a part;
Reason these fears may disapprove :
But yet I fear, because I love,
DELIA
Firft tell me, Damon, why to-day
At Belvidera's feet you lay?
Why with such warmth her charms you prais'd,
And every trifling beauty rais'd,
As if you meant to let me fee
Your flattery is not all for me?
Alas ! too well your sex I knew,
Nor was fo weak to think you true,
DAM ON.
Unkind!
my
falsehood to upbraid, When your own orders I obey'd;
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