Helen, having received an epiftle from Paris, returns the following anfwer: wherein she seems at firft to chide him for his prefumption in writing as he had done, which could only proceed from his low opinion of her virtue: then owns herself to be fenfible of the paffion, which he had expreffed for her, though she much fufpected his conftancy; and at laft difcovers her inclination to be favourable to him: the whole letter fhewing the extreme artifice of womankind.
WHEN loofe epiftles violate chaste eyes,
She half confents, who filently denies.
How dares a ftranger, with defigns fo vain,
Marriage and hofpitable rights prophane !
Was it for this, your fleet did fhelter find
From fwelling feas, and ev'ry faithlefs wind?
(For though a distant country brought you forth,
Your ufage here was equal to your worth.)
Does this deferve to be rewarded fo?
Did you come here a stranger or a foe?
Your partial judgment may perhaps complain,
And think me barbarous for my just disdain.
Ill-bred then let me be, but not unchafte,
Nor my clear fame with any spot defac'd.
Though in my face there's no affected frown, 15
Nor in my carriage a feign'd niceness shown,
I keep my honour ftill without a ftain,
Nor has my love made any coxcomb vain.
Your boldnefs I with admiration fee;
What hope had you to gain a queen like me?
Because a hero forc'd me once away,
Am I thought fit to be a fecond prey?
Had I been won, I had deferv'd your blame,
But fure my part was nothing but the shame.
Yet the base theft to him no fruit did bear,
I 'fcap'd unhurt by any thing but fear.
Rude force might fome unwilling kiffes gain
But that was all he ever could obtain.
You on fuch terms would ne'er have let me go;
Were he like you, we had not parted fo.
Untouch'd the youth reftor'd me to my friends,
And modeft ufage made me fome amends.
'Tis virtue to repent a vicious deed,
Did he repent, that Paris might fucceed?
Sure 'tis fome fate that fets me above wrongs, 35
Yet ftill expofes me to bufy tongues.
I'll not complain; for who's difpleas'd with love,
If it fincere, difcreet, and conftant prove?
But that I fear; not that I think you bafe,
Or doubt the blooming beauties of my face; 40
But all your fex is fubject to deceive,
And ours, alas, too willing to believe.
Yet others yield; and love o'ercomes the best:
But why fhould I not shine above the reft?
Fair Leda's story seems at firft to be
A fit example ready form'd for me.
But he was cozen'd by a borrow'd shape,
And under harmless feathers felt a rape.
If I fhould yield, what reafon could I use?
By what mistake the loving crime excuse ?
Her fault was in her powerful lover loft ;
But of what Jupiter have I to boast?
Though you to heroes and to kings fucceed,
Our famous race does no addition need;
And great alliances but useless prove
To one that comes herself from mighty Jove.
Go then, and boast in fome lefs haughty place
Your Phrygian blood, and Priam's ancient race;
Which I would fhew I valu'd, if I durft;
You are the fifth from Jove, but I the firft. 60
The crown of Troy is powerful, I confefs;
But I have reafon to think ours no lefs.
Your letter, fill'd with promifes of all
That men can good, and women pleafant call,
Gives expectation fuch an ample field,
As would move goddeffes themselves to yield.
But if I e'er offend great Juno's laws,
Yourself fhall be the dear, the only caufe:
Either my honor I'll to death maintain,
Or follow you, without mean thoughts of gain.
Not that fo fair a prefent I despise;
We like the gift, when we the giver prize. But 'tis your love moves me, which made you take
Such pains, and run fuch hazards for my fake. I have perceiv'd (though I diffembled too) 75 A thousand things that love has made you do. Your eager eyes would almoft dazzle mine, In which, wild man, your wanton thoughts would fhine.
Sometimes you'd figh, fometimes diforder'd ftand,
And with unufual ardour prefs my hand;
Contrive juft after me to take the glafs,
Nor would you let the leaft occafion pass:
When oft I fear'd, I did not mind alone,
And blufhing fate for things which you have
Then murmur'd to myself, He'll for
Do any thing; I hope 'twas no mistake.
Oft have I read within this pleafing grove,
Under my name, thofe charming words, I love.
I, frowning, feem'd not to believe your
But now, alas, am come to write the fame.
If I were capable to do amifs,
I could not but be fenfible of this.
For oh! your face has fuch peculiar charms, That who can hold from flying to your arms! But what I ne'er can have without offence, 95 May fome bleft maid poffefs with innocence. Pleasure may tempt, but virtue more should
O learn of me to want the thing you love. What you defire is fought by all mankind : fo others are not blind. 100
you have eyes, Like you they fee, like
you my charms adore They wish not lefs, but you dare venture more. Oh! had you then upon our coafts been brought, My virgin-love when thousand rivals fought, You had I feen, you should have had my
Nor could my husband justly blame my choice,
For both our hopes, alas! you come too late;
Another now is mafter of my fate.
More to my wifh I could have liv'd with
And yet my prefent lot can undergo.
Ceafe to folicit a weak woman's will,
And urge not her you love to fo much ill.
But let me live contented as I may,
And make not my unfpotted fame your prey.
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