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 45 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 beft: But why should I not shine above the rest? Fair Leda's story seems at first to be A fit example ready form'd for me. But she was cozen'd by a borrow'd shape, And under harmless feathers felt a rape. If I should yield, what reason could I use? By what mistake the loving crime excufe? Her fault was in her powerful lover lost ; 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; 50 55 You are the fifth from Jove, but I the first. 60 That men can good, and women pleasant call, Gives expectation fuch an ample field, 65 71 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, 80 And with unusual ardour prefs my hand; done : Then murmur'd to myfelf, He'll for my fake 85 my name, those charming words, I love, I, frowning, feem'd not to believe your flame; I could not but be fenfible of this. 90 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 fhould move; O learn of me to want the thing you love. voice; 105 Nor could my husband juftly blame my choice, For both our hopes, alas! you come too late; Another now is mafter of my fate. 110 More to my wish I could have liv'd with you, And make not my unfpotted fame your prey. Some right you claim, fince naked to your eyes Three goddeffes difputed beauty's prize: 116 One offer'd valour, t'other crowns; but she Obtain'd her caufe, who, fmiling, promis'd me. But first I am not of belief fo light, To think fuch nymphs would fhew you fuch a 120 fight: And yet bear witnefs, O you Powers above, 130 140 Happy those nymphs, whom ufe has perfect made! I think all crime, and tremble at a fhade. : More freedom gives, but does not all afford : Long is his journey, long will be his stay ; Call'd by affairs of confequence away, To go, or not, when unrefolv'd he stood, 146 150 I bid him make what fwift return he could: 155 All to thy care, but most my Trojan friend, 160 My fame's my burden: for the more I'm prais'd, A juster ground of jealousy is rais'd. 165 |