VI.
Love's fubalterns, a duteous band,

Like watchmen, round their chief appear :
Each had his lantern in his hand;
And Venus mask'd brought up the rear.

VII.
Accouter'd thus, their eager step

To Cloe's lodging they directed : (At once I write, alas ! and weep, That Cloe is of theft fufpe&ted).

VIII.
Late they set out, had far to go :

St. Dunstan's as they pass’d struck one.
Cloe, for reasons good, you know,
Lives at the fober end oth' town.

IX.
With one great peal they rap the door,

Like footmen on a visiting-day.
Folks at her house at such an hour!
Lord! what will all the neighbours say?

X.
The door is open: up they run :

Nor prayers, nor threats, divert their speed :
Thieves ! thieves ! cries Susan; we're undone;
They 'll kill my mistress in her bed.

XI.
In bed indeed the nymph had been

Three hours : for, all historians say,
She commonly went up at ten,
Unless piquet was in the way.

XII. She

:

XII.
She wak'd, be sure, with strange surprize:

O Cupid, is this right or law,
Thus to disturb the brightest eyesg.
That ever slept, or ever saw ?

XIII.
Have you

observ'd a fitting hare,
Listening, and fearful of the storm
Of horns and hounds, clap back her ear,
Afraid to keep, or leave her form?

XIV.
Or have you mark'd a partridge quake,

Viewing the towering falcon nigh?
She cuddles low behind the brake :
Nor would the stay : nur dares the fly,

XV.
Then have you seen the beauteous maid;

When gazing on her midnight foes,
She turn'd each way her frighted head,
Then sunk it deep beneath the cloaths.

XVI.
Venus this while was in the chamber

Incognito : for Susan said,
It smelt so strong of myrrh and amberman
And Susan is no lying maid.

XVII:
But, fince we have no present need

Of Venus for an episode :
With Cupid let us c'en proceed;
And thus to Cloe spoke the god :

XVIII. Hold

I 2

XXIV.
Yet, to compose this midnight noise,

Go freely search where-e'er you please
(The rage, that rais'd, adorn’d her voice)
Upon yon' toilet lie my keys.

XXV.
Her keys he takes ; her doors unlocks ;

Through wardrobe and through closet bounces ;
Peeps into every chest and box;
Turns all her furbeloes and flounces.

XXVI.
But Dove, depend on't, finds he none;

So to the bed returns again :
And now the maiden, bolder grown,
Begins to treat him with disdain.

XXVII.
I marvel much, she smiling said,

Your poultry cannot yer be found :
Lies he in yonder slipper dead ?
Or, may be, in the tea-por drown'd?

XXVIII.
No, traitor, angry Love replies,
He's hid fomewhere about

your

breaft;
A place nor god nor man denies,
For Venus' Dove the proper neft.

XXIX.
Search then, she faid, put in your hand,

And Cynthia, dear protectress, guard me:
As guilty I, or free, may stand,
Do thou or punish or reward me.

XXX. Buxt

I 3

XVIII.
Hold up your

head: hold up your hand :
Would it were not my lot to thew
This cruel writ, wherein you stand
Indicted by the name of Cloe !

XIX.
For that, by secret malice ftipr'd,

Or by an emulous pride invited,
You have purloin’d the favourite bird,
In which my mother most delighted.

XX.
Her blushing face the lovely maid

Rais'd just above the milk-white sheet;
A rose-tree in a lily bed
Nor glows so red, nor breathes so sweet,

XXI.
Are you not he whom virgins fear,

And widows court? is not your name
Cupid ? If so, pray come not near -
Fair maiden, I'm the

very

fame.

XXII.
Then what have I, good fir, to say,

Or do with her you call your mother?
If I should meet her in my way,
We hardly court'sy to each other.

XXIII.
Diana chaste, and Hebe sweet,

Witness that what I speak is true :
I would not give my Paroquet
For all the Doves that ever flew.

XXIV. Yet,