OR mighty wars I thought to tune my
And make my measures to my fubject fuit.
Six feet for ev'ry verse the Mufe defign'd:
But Cupid, laughing, when he saw my mind,
From ev'ry fecond verfe a foot purloin'd.
Who gave thee, boy, this arbitrary faw,'
On subjects, 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 .hake.
In fields as well may Cynthia fow the corn,
Or Ceres wind in woods the bugle-horn.
As well may Phœbus quit the trembling ftring,
For fword and shield; and Mars may learn to fing,
Already thy dominions are too large;
Be not ambitious of a foreign charge.
If thou wilt reign o'er all, and ev'ry where,
The God of Mufic for his harp may fear.
Thus when with foaring wings I seek renown,
Thou pluck'st my pinions, and I flutter down.
Could I on fuch mean thoughts my Mufe employ,
I want a mistress 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 Muse.
He said: too well, alas, he knows his trade;
For in my breast a mortal wound he made.
(Far hence, ye proud hexameters, remove)
My verfe is pac'd and trammel'd into love.
With myrtle wreaths my thoughtful brows inclofe,
While in unequal verfe I fing my woes.
To his mistress, whofe husband is invited to a feaft with them. The poet inftructs ber how to behave herself in his company.
OUR husband will be with us at the treat;
May that be the last supper he shall eat.
And am poor I a gueft invited there,
Only to fee, while he may touch the fair?
To fee you kiss and hug your naufeous lord,
While his leud 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 horse, (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 howe'er.
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 answer make:
My lifted eye-brow fhall declare my pain;
My right-hand to his fellow fhall complain;
And on the back a letter thall design;
Befides a note that shall be writ in wine.
Whene'er you think upon our last embrace,
With your fore-finger gently touch
If any word of mine offend my dear,
Pull, with your hand, the velvet of
If you are pleas'd with what I do or fay,
Handle your rings, or with
As fuppliants ufe at altars, hold the board,
Whene'er you wish the devil may take your
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 fnatch it from the boy;
Watching the
part where your fweet mouth hath
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,
|