THE ART OF LOVE.

IN IMITATION OF

HORACE DE ARTE AMANDI.

TO THE

LORD HERBERT*

Eldeft Son of his Excellency the Earl of Pembroke and Montgomery, Ba

ron Herbert of Caerdiff, Rofs of Kendal, Parr, Fitzhugh Marmion, St. Quintin, and Herbert of Shutland, Knight of the Garter, &c. &c.

MY LORD,

The following lines are written on a subject that the crown with the fame universal applause that will naturally be protected by the goodness and has constantly attended your illustrious father in temper of your lordship : for, as the advantages of the discharge of them. For the good of your pofyour mind and person must kindle the flames of terity, may you ever be happy in the choice of love in the coldest breast; so you are of an age what you love! And though these rules will be mok susceptible of them in your own. You have of small use to you that can (ranie much better ; acquired all those accomplishments at home, which yet let me beg leave that, by dedicating them to others are forced to seek' abroad; and have given your service, I may have the honour of telling the the world assurance, by such beginnings, that you world, that I am obliged to your Lordship; and will soon be qualified to fill the highest offices of that I am most entirely

Your Lordship's * Henry Lord Herbert succeeded to his father's titles in.

Most faithful humble servant, 1732, and died in 1749.

WILLIAM KING. U u čij

P R E F A CE.

It is endeavoured, in the following poenis, to teral translator: and, after all, he lies under give the readers of both sexes some ideas of the misfortune, that the faults are all his owa; C. art of love; such a love as is innocent and yirtu. if there is any thing that may seem pardopadl, s ous, and whose defires terminate in present happi- Latiu* at the bottom hews to whom he se: ness and that of pofterity. It would be in vain to gaged for it. An imitator and his acther to think of doing it without help from the ancients, much upon the same ternis as Ben does with a amooget whom none has touched that passion more father in the comedy t: tenderly and justly than Ovid. He knew that he bore the mattership in that are; and therefore, in “ What thof he be my father, I an's bound pres the fourth book De Triftibus, when he would give « tice to 'en." some account of himself to future ages, he calls himself “ Tenerorum Lusor Amorum," as if he There were many reasons why the imitate te gloried principally in the descriptions he had made posed several verses of Ovid, and has divided of that passion.

whole into fourteen parts, rather than keep it :The present imitation of him is at least such a three books. These may be too tedious to be ta one as Mr. Dryden mentions, “to be an endea- cited; but, among the rest, some were, that are “ vour of a later poet to write like one who has ters of the same subject might lie more comp: s written before him on the same subject ; that is, that too large a heap of precepts together " not to translate his words, or he confined to his appear too burtheusome; and therefore (14 * sepse, but only to set him as a pattern, and to matcers may allude to greater) as Virgil ibu “ write as he supposes that author would have “Georgies," so here most of the parts end with come “ done, had he lived in our age and in our coun remarkable fable, which carries with it lots on

try. But he dares not say that Sir John Den- ral: yes, if any persons please to take the frit ham, or Mr. Cowley, have carried this libertine parts as the first book, and divide the eight lost.

way, as the latter calls it, so far as this definition they may make three books of their agais. The " reaches.” But, alas ! the present imitator has have by chance some twenty lines crepe iste e come up to it, if not perhaps exceeded it. Sir poem out of the “ Remedy of Love," which John Denham had Virgil, and Mr. Cowley had inanimate things are generally the most waruzi Pindar, to deal with, who both wrote upon láfting and provoking) since they would fray, have bo foundations; but the prefent subject being love, suffered to Itand there. But as for the love bez it would be unreasonable to think of too great a mentionech, it being all prudent, honourable, a confinement to be laid on it. And chough the virtuous there is no need if any remedy to be patient pallion and grounds of it will continue the fame, scribed for it, but the speedy obtaining of wie chrough all ages; yet there will be many little desires. Should the imitator's style fecm not to be modes, fashions, and graces, ways of complaisance | sufficiently restrained, should he not have affr. and addrets, entertainments and diversions, which ! pains for review or correction, let it be conucered. time will vary. Since the world will expect new that perhaps even in that he desired to imitate bis things, and persons will write, and the ancients author, and would not perute them ; left, as is have so great a fund of learning; whom can the of Ovid's works were, to these might be conure: moderns take better to copy than such originals ? to the flames.

But he isaves that for the reader It is most likely they may not come up to them; to do, if he pleases, when he has bought thea. but it is a thousand to one but their imitation is better than any clumsy invention of their own. * In the first editions of the Art of Contert, Whoever undertakes this way of writing, has as the “ Art of Love," Dr. King printed the erigala much reason to understand the true scope, genius, the respective pages of his trandatiuns. and force of the expressions of his author, as a lie

THE ART OF LOVE.

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PA RT 1.

Whoever knows not what it is TO LOVE, And ne, that fuel seeks for chafte desire,
Let him but read these verses, and improve. Must search where Virtue may that fame inspire.
Swift ships are rul'd by art, and oars, and fails : To foreign parts there is no need to roam :
Skill guides our chariots; Wit o'er Love prevails. The blessing inay be met with nearer home.
Automedon with reins let loose could fly; From India fome, others from neighbouring
Tiphys with Argo's ship cut waves and sky.

France, in love affairs I'm charioteer of Truth,

Bring tawny kins, and puppets chạt can dance. And surelt pilot to incautious youth.

The seat of British empire does contain Love's hot, unruly, eager to enjoy ;

Beauties that oder the conquer'd globe will reign. But then coolider he is but a boy.

As fruitful fields with plenty bless the sight, Chiron with pleasing harp Achilles tam'd, And as the milky way adorns the night; And his rough manners with soft music fram'd : So tbat does with those graceful nymphs abound, Though he'd in council form, in battle

rage,

Whose dove-like softness is with roses crown'd. He bore a secret reverence for age.

There tenderest blooms inviting softness spread, Chiron's conimand with ftrict obedience ties Whilft by their smallest twine the captive's led. The finewy arm by which brave Hector dies : There youth advanc'd in majesty does shine, That was bis task, but fiercer love is mine : Fit to be mocher tv a race divine. They both are boys, and (prung from race divine. No age in matrons, no decay appears ; The stiff-neck'd bull does to the yoke submit, By prudence only there you guess at years. And the most fiery courser champs the bit. Sometinies you'll see these beauties seek the So Love shall yield. I own, I've been his slave; By lofty trees in royal gardens made; [shade, But conquer'd where my enemy was brave; Or ar St. James's, where a noble care And now he darts his fames without a wound, Maķes all things pleasing like himself appear ; And all his whistling arrows die in sound. Or Kensington, sweet air and blest retreat Nor will I raise my fame by hidden art;

Of him, that owns a sovereign, though most great In what I teach, sound reason shall have part : Sometimes in wilder groves, by chariots drawa, For Nature's passion cannot be destroy'd,

They view the roble stag and tripping fawn. But moves in Virtue's path when well employ'd. On Hyde-park's circles if you chance to gaze, Yet ftill 'twill be convenient to remove

The lights revolving frike you with amaze. The tyranny and plagues of vulgar love.

To Bath and Tunbridge they sometimes retreat, May insane Chastity, grave matron's pride, With waters to dispel the parching heat : A parent's with, and blushes of a bride,

But youth with reason there may oft admire Protect this work; so guard it, that no rhyme That which may raise in him a nobler fire; In fyllable or thrught may vent a crime !

Till the kind Fair relieves what he endures, The foldier, that Love's armour would defy, Caus'd at that water which all others cares. Will find his greatest courage is to fly:

Sometimes at marriage-rites you may espy When Beauty'- amorous glances parley beat, Their charms protected by a mother's eye, The only conquest then is to retreat :

Where to blest music they in dances move, But, if the treacherous Fair pretend to yield, With innocence and grace commanding love. 'Tis present death, unless you quit the field. But yearly when that folemn night returns, Whill youth and vanity would make you range, When grateful incense on the altar burns, Think on some beauty may prevent your change : For closing the most glorious day e'er seen, But such by falling skies are never caught; That first gave light to happy Britain's queen ; No happiness is found but what is sought.

* George Trince of Denmark, confort to the Queen, The huntsman learns where does trip'o'er the greatly admired thele fine gardens. They were purchased lawn,

by King William from Lord Chancellor Finch, were en

arged by Queen Mary, and improved by Quieen Anne. And where the foaming boar secures his brawn. who was so pleased with the place, that the frequently supThe fowler's low-bell robs the lark of fleep; ped during the summer in the green-house. Queen Caro

line extended the gardens to their present lize, thisce miles And they who hope for fifa must search the deep : ) and a half in compais,

}

Theo is the time for noble youth to cry

But all declare the British subje&s' ease, To make his choice with a judicious eye.

And that their war is for their neighbours' peace, Not truth of foreign realms, not fables told Then, whilst the pomp of majesty proceeds Of nymphs ador'd, and goddesses of old,

With stately steps, and eight well-chosen steeds, Equal those beauties who that circle frame; From every palace beauties may be seen, A fubje& fit for never-dying fame; (thrown, That will acknowledge none but her for Queen. Whole gold, pearl, diamonds, all around them Then, if kind chance a lovely maid has thrown Yet fill can add no lustre to their own.

Next to a youth with graces like her own, But when their queen does to the senate go, Much she would learn, and many questions aik: And they make up the grandeur of the thew, The answers are the lover's plcasiog talk. Then guard your hearts, ye makers of our laws, “ Is that the man who made the French to fly! For fear the judge be forc'd to plead bis cause;

" What place is Blenheim ? is the Danube nigh? Left the submisive part should fall to you, “ Where was't that he with sword viđarica And they who suppliants help be forc'd co sue.

“ stood,

[flood Then may their yielding hearts compassion take, “ And made their trembling squadrons choose it And grant your wishes, for your country's fake: " What is the gold adorns this royal state? Ease to their beauties' wounds may goodness give; “ Is it not hammer'd all from Vigo's plate? And, lince you make all happy. let you live. “ Don't it require a molt prodigious care

Sometimes these beauties on Newmarket plains, “ To manage treasures in the height of war? Ruling their gentle pads with filken reins, “ Must he not be of calmelt truth posleft, Behold the conflicts of the generous steeds, “ Presides o'er councils of the royal brealt? Sprung from true blood, and well-attested breeds.

“ Sea-fights are surely dismal scenes of war! There youth may justly with discerning eye “ Pray, Sir, were ever you at Gibraltar? Through riding Amazonian habit spy

“ Has not the emperor got some envoy bere? That which his swifteft courser çandot fly, “ Won't Danish, Swedish, Pruflian lords op! It is no treacherous or base piece of art,

“ pear? T'approve the side with which the Fair takes part: " Who represents the line of Hanover ? For equal paffion equal minds will ftrike,

“ Don't the States General assist them all? Either in commendation or dislike :

“ Should we not be in danger, if they fall? For, when two fencers ready stand to fight,

“ If Savoy's duke and prince Eugene could net: And we're spectators of the bloody fight, “ In this solemnity, 'twould be complete. Our nimble paflion Love has soon defign'd “ Think you that Barcelona could have stood The man to whom we must and will be kind.

" Without the hazard of our noblest blood? We think the other is not fit to win :

At Ramilies what ensigns did you get? This is our conqueror ere fight begin.

“ Did many towns in Flanders then fubmit? Jf danger dares approach him, how we start !

“ Was it the conqueror's business to destroy, Our frighted blood runs trembling to our heart:

“ Or was he met by all of them with joy? He takes the wounds, but we endure the finart.

« Oh, could my with but fame eternal gire, And Nature by such instances does prove,

" The laurel on those brows should ever live." That we fear molt for that which most we love. The British worth in nothing need despair, Therefore, if chance should make her faddle flide,

When it has such asistance from the Fair. Or any thing fhould nip, or be untied,

As Virtue merits, it expects regard; Oh, think it not a too officious care

And Valour flies, where Bcaucy's the reward.
With eagerness to run and help the Fair.
We offer small things to the powers above :
'Tis not our mcrit that obtains their love.
So when Eliza, whose propitious days
Revolving Heaven does seem again to raise,

PART II.
Whose ruling genius fhew'd a master-stroke
In every thing she did, and all the spoke,

In love affairs the theatre has part,
Was stepping o'er a passage, which the rain That wise and most inftruding fcere of art,
Had fill'd, and feem'd as stepping back again, Where Vice is punish'd with a just reward,
Young Raleigh scorn'd to see his queen retreat,

And Virtue meets with suitable regard; And threw his velvet cloak beneath her feet. Where mutual Love and Friendship find reture, The queen approv'd the thought, and made him But treacherous Infolence is hiss'd with foorn, great *.

And Love's unlawful wiles in torment barn. Mark when the queen her thanks divine would

This without blushes whild a virgin lees, Midit acclamations, that the long may live; (give | Upon fome brave spe&ator Love may feise, To whom kind Heaven she bleiling has bestow'd, Who, till se sends it, never can have ease. To let her arms succeed for Europe's good;

As things that were the best at first, No tyranny throughout the triumph reigns,

By their corruption grow the worlt; Nor are the captives dragg'd with ponderous The modern stage rakes liberties chains;

Unseen by our furefathers' eyes. * Sir Walter Raleigh is well known to have been indebt.

As bees from hive, from mole-bill ants; ed to this little mark of gallantry for his risc at court.

So swarm the fernales and gallab,

THE ART OF LOVE.

683
= All crowding to the comedy,
For to be seen, and not to fee.

PART 111.
But, though these females are to blanie,
Yet still they have some native shame :
They all are filent till they're alk'd,

Now learn those arts which teach you to obtain
And ev’n their impudence is malk'd:,

Those beauties which you see divinely reign. · For Nature would be modeft fill,

Though they by nature are transcendent bright, And there's reluctancy in will.

And would be fecn ev'n through the gloom of Sporting and plays had harmless been,

night;
And might by any one be seen,

Yet they their greatest lustre ftill display,
Till Romulus began to spoil them,

In the meridian pitch of calmest day.
Who kept a palace, callid Asylum ;

'Tis then we purple view, aod costly gem,
- Where baftards, pimps, and thieves, and pan.

And with more admiration gaze on them. dars,

Faults seek the dark; they who by moun-light woo,
Were listed all to be commanders.

May find their fair-one as inconstant too.
But then the rascals were so poor,

When modesty supported is by truth,
They could not change a rogue for whore;

There is a boldness that becomes your youth.
And neighbouring jades resolv'd to tarry,

In gentle sounds disclose a lover's care,
Rather than with such scrubs they'd marry.

'Tis better than your sighing and despair.
But, for to cheat them, and be wiv'd,

Birds may abhor their groves, the flocks the plain, They knavishly a farce contriy'd.

The hare grown bold may face the dogs again,
No gilded pillars there were seen,

When beauty don't in virtue's armis rejoice,
Nor was the cloth they trad on green.

Since harmony in love is Nature's voice.
No ghosts came from the cellar crying, But harden'd impudence fomctimes will try
Nor angels from the garret dying,

At things which justice cannot but deny.
The house was made of sticks and bushes, Then, what that lays is insolence and pride,
And all the floor was strew'd with rulhes : Is prudence, with firm honour for its guide.
The seats were rais'd with turf and sods,

The lady's counsels often are betray'd
Whence heroes might be view'd, and gods. By trusting secrets to a servile maid,
Paris and Hclen was the play,

The whole intrigues of whose insidious brain
And how both of them ran away,

Are bare, and only terninate in gain.
Romulus bade his varlets go

Let them take care of too diffufive mirth;
Invite the Sabines to his Shew.

Suspicious thence, and thence attempts, take birth.
Unto this opera no rate is :

Had Ilium been with gravity employ'd,
They all were free to come in gratis :

By Simon's craft it had not been deltroy'd.
And they, as girls will feldom miss

A vulgar air, mean songs, and free discourse,
A merry meeting, came to this.

With fly insinuations, may prove worse
There was much wishing, fighing, thinking,

To render females than the Trojan horse.
Not without whispering, and winking.

Take care how you from virtue strayi
Their pipes had then no Making touch :

For scandal follows the same way,
Their song and dance were like the Dutch :

And more than truth it will devise.
The whole performance was by men,

Old poets did delight in lies,
Because they had no eunuchs then.

Which modern ones now call surprise.
But, while the music briskly play'd,

Some say that Myrrha lov'd her father,
Romulus at his cue display'd

That Byblis lik'd her brother rather.
The sign for each man to his maid.

And in such tales old Greece did glory:
- Huzza!" they cry; then seize: some trem Amongst the which, pray take this story.
ble

Crete was an ifle, whose fruitful pations
In real fact, though most diffemble.

Swarm'd with an hundred corporations,
Some are attempting an escape,

And there upon Mount Ida stood
And others softly cry, “ A rape!"

A venerable spacious wood,
While some bawl out, “ That they had cather

Within whose centre was a grove
* Than twenty pound lose an old father." Immortaliz'd by birth of Jove :
me look extremely pale, and others red,

In vales below a bull was fed, ne wish they'd ne'er been born, or now

Whom all the kine obey'd as head; were dead,

Betwixt his horns a tuft of black did grow, d others fairly with themselves a-bed.

But all the rest of him was driven spow.
Fome rant, tear, run; whilft some fit fill, (Our tale to truth does not confine us.)
shew they're ravilh'd much again their will.

At the same time one Juftiee Minos,
Chus Rome began; and now at last,

That liv'd hard by, was married lately;

And, that his bride might show more stately,
Cheir rapes and lewdness without shame;

When through her pedigree he run,
Their vice and villainy's the same,

Found the was daughter to the Sun,
se their fate who would corrupt the stage,

Her name Paliphaë was hight, spoil the true corrector of the age !

And, as her father, fac was bright.

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After so many ages past,