FOR mighty wars I thought to tune my lute,
And make my measures to my fubject fuit.
Six feet for ev'ry verfe the Muse design'd:
But Cupid, laughing, when he saw my mind,
From ev'ry fecond verse a foot purloin'd.
Who gave thee, boy, this arbitrary sway,
On fubjects, not thy own, commands to lay,
Who Phoebus only and his laws obey?
'Tis more abfurd than if the Queen of Love
Should in Minerva's arms to battle move;
Or manly Pallas from that queen fhould take
Her torch, and o'er the dying lover shake.
In fields as well may Cynthia fow the corn,
Or Ceres wind in woods the bugle-horn.
As well may Phœbus quit the trembling string,
For fword and fhield; and Mars may learn to
Already thy dominions are too large;
Be not ambitious of a foreign charge.
If thou wilt reign o'er all, and every where,
The god of Mufic for his harp may fear.
Thus when with foaring wings I feek renown, Thou pluck'ft my pinions, and I flutter down. Could I on fuch mean thoughts my Mufe employ,
I want a miftrefs or a blooming boy.
Thus I complain'd: his bow the ftripling bent,
And chofe an arrow fit for his intent.
The shaft his purpose fatally pursues ;
Now, poet, there's a fubject for thy Mufe.
He faid too well, alas, he knows his trade;
For in my breaft a mortal wound he made. 30
Far hence, ye proud hexameters, remove,
My verfe is pac'd and trammel'd into love.
With myrtle wreaths my thoughtful brows in-
clofe,
While in unequal verse I sing my woes.
To his mistress, whofe husband is invited to a feast with them. The poet inftructs her how to behave herself in his company.
YOUR husband will be with us at the treat;
May that be the last fupper he shall eat.
And am poor I a guest invited there,
Only to fee, while he may touch the fair?
To fee you kifs and hug your naufeous lord, 5
While his lewd hand defcends below the board?
Now wonder not that Hippodamia's charms,
At fuch a fight, the Centaurs urg'd to arms;
That in a rage they threw their cups afide,
Affail'd the bridegroom, and would force the
bride.
I am not half a horfe, (I would I were)
Yet hardly can from you my hands forbear. Take then my counfel; which, obferv'd, may be Of fome importance both to you and me.
Be fure to come before your man be there; There's nothing can be done; but come how
Sit next him (that belongs to decency)
But tread upon my foot in paffing by.
Read in my looks what filently they speak,
And flily, with your eyes, your anfwer make.
My lifted eye-brow fhall declare my pain;
My right-hand to his fellow fhall complain;
And on the back a letter fhall defign;
Befides a note that shall be writ in wine.
Whene'er you think upon our laft embrace, 25
With your fore-finger gently touch
your face.
If any word of mine offend my dear,
Pull, with your hand, the velvet of your ear.
If you are pleas'd with what I do or fay,
Handle your rings, or with your fingers play. 30
As fuppliants ufe at altars, hold the board,
Whene'er you with the devil may take your
lord.
When he fills for you, never touch the
But bid th' officious cuckold drink it up.
The waiter on thofe fervices employ:
Drink you, and I will snatch it from the boy;
Watching the part where your fweet mouth
hath been,
And thence with eager lips will fuck it in.
If he, with clownish manners, thinks it fit
To taste, and offer you the nafty bit,
Reject his greafy kindness, and restore
Th' unfav'ry morfel he had chew'd before.
Nor let his arms embrace your neck, nor reft
Your tender cheek upon his hairy breast.
Let not his hand within your bofom stray,
And rudely with your pretty bubbies play.
But above all, let him no kifs receive;
That's an offence I never can forgive.
Do not, O do not that sweet mouth refign,
Left I rife in
'Tis mine.
I shall thrust in betwixt, and void of fear
The manifeft adulterer will appear.
These things are plain to fight; but more I doubt
What conceal beneath your petticoat.
Take not his leg between your tender thighs, 55
Nor, with your hand, provoke my foe to rise.
How many love-inventions I deplore,
Which I myself have practis'd all before?
How oft have I been forc'd the robe to lift
In company; to make a homely shift
For a bare bout, ill huddled o'er in hafte,
While o'er my fide the fair her mantle cast.
You to your husband shall not be fo kind;
But, left you should, your mantle leave behind.
Encourage him to tope; but kifs him not, 65
Nor mix one drop of water in his pot.
If he be fuddled well, and fnores apace,
Then we may take advice from time and place.
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