Nor aught avails the fpecious name of WIFE;
A maid fo wedded is a WHORE FOR LIFE.

Ev'n in the happiest choice, where favʼring Heav'n
Has equal love, and easy fortune giv'n,
Think not, the Husband gain'd, that all is done;
The prize of happiness must still be won;
And oft, the carelefs find it to their coft,
The Lover in the Husband may be loft;

The Graces might alone his heart allure ;
They and the Virtues meeting muft fecure.

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 domeftic duty feem to flow;

The HOUSHOLD SCEPTER if he bids you bear,
Make it your pride his fervant to appear;
Endearing thus the common acts of life,
The Mistress still shall charm him in the Wife ;
And wrinkled age fhall unobferv'd come on,
Before his eye perceives one beauty gone;
Ev'n o'er your cold, and ever-facred urn,
His conftant flame fhall 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 fecure my own
Against the pow'r of those already known;
For well you twift the fecret chains that bind
With gentle force the captivated mind,

Skill'd

Skill'd every foft attraction to employ,
Each flatt'ring hope, and each alluring joy :
I own your genius, and from you receive
The rules of Pleafing, which to you I give.

SON N G.

Written in the Year 1732. By the Same.

İ.

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 the speaks, my ravish'd ear
No other voice but her's can hear,
No other wit but her's approve ;-
Tell me, my Heart, if this be Love.

III.

If she some other youth commend,
Though I was once his fondeft friend,
His inftant enemy I prove ;-

Tell me, my Heart, if this be Love.

IV.

When she is absent, I no more

Delight in all that pleas'd before,
The clearest spring, or fhadiest grove ;-
Tell me, my Heart, if this be Love.

V.

When fond of pow'r, of beauty vain,
Her nets she spread for every fwain,
I ftrove to hate, but vainly ftrove ;-
Tell me, my Heart, if this be Love.

Will you

III.

in every look declare

Your heart is ftill the fame ?

And heal each idly anxious care
Our fears in absence frame ?
IV.

Thus, Delia, kus I paint the fcene,
When shortly we shall meet,
And try what yet remains between
Of loit'ring time to cheat.
V..

But if the dream that fooths my mind
Shall falfe and groundless prove ;

If I am doom'd at length to find

You have forgot to love;

VI.

All I of Venus afk, is this;

No more to let us join ;

But grant me here the flatt'ring bliss,
To die and think you mine.

TELL me, my Delia, tell me why

My kindeft, fondeft looks you fly :
What means this cloud upon your brow?
Have I offended tell me how?

Some change has happen'd in your heart,
Some rival there has ftol'n a part;
Reason these fears may disapprove

But yet I fear, because I love.

DELIA.

:

First, tell me, Damon, why to-day

At Belvidera's feet you lay?

Why with fuch warmth her charms you prais'd,
And ev'ry trifling beauty rais'd,

As if

you meant to let me fee

Your flatt'ry is not All for me?
Alas! too well your fex I knew,
Nor was fo weak to think you true.

DAMON.