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THE FOURTH EDITION IMPROVED.
FESTIVAL of LOVE;
OR, A COLLECTION OF
CYTHEREAN POEMS:
PROCURED AND SELECTED
BY G-------E P--------E,*
AND DEDICATED TO
HIS BROTHER.
CONTAINING
Elegant Tranflations from Anacreon, Sapphos
Mus.ffius, Coluthus, Secundus, &c
AND
INNUMERABLE ORIGINAL PIECES,
NEVER BEFORE PUBLISHED,
BY THE
D-e of B------- h Dr. W-—« |\ D- of D—
Mr. S—— Dr. K. D-ofM——
Mr. t------- L~d J— R— Mr. J----------
Mr. H—— L-d J— T— E~ of E--------
WM--------- Mr. F- ■ |E-ofS------
L-dW—R— Mr. B— D-ofC------
Sir j. J------- I Mr. F—es Dr. A------g
Sir C. W------- |; R. B. S—, Esq, U D- of Q;—y
AND
MANY OTHER EQUALLY CONSPICUOUS PERSONS IN
THE WORLD OF LITERATURE.
■
Ex amore vita oritur, tunc prima vitce designatiu amor est.
LONDON.
PRINTED FOR M. SMITH J
And, by the Editors Permission, sold by the Booksellers
in Fleet-streety Piccadilly, and Paternoster-row*
PREFACE.
WITH authors and with their productions the
world are pestered daily:—however, I will add
my small mite to the enormous pile already erected*
Royalty, by Horace Walpole's Catalogue, has for ages
entered, and hut grovelled in the paths of literature, un~
edified themselves, ungratified the public; for, alas! the
frailty and insufficiency of men have induced them to
throw aside the veil that has concealed their defects to
the commonalty, and as beacons to their successors, pre-
cipitated into the gulph of obloquy and contempt. The
Waterman, the Porter, the Ploughman, and the Milk-
woman, have stood forth each descendants of the nine,—
The Tradesman has built a System of Morality, the
Banker has written on Astronomy, and the Astronomer
has descended to Witchcraft and Astrology : Kings have
scribbled upon that, which they cannot or will not com-
prehend-—Republicanism; Nobles have considered the
advantages of Monarehism, and Plebeians have applauded
an Aristocracy.
After having taken a view of such a strange perver-
sion of the human powers, I conceive I stand excused to t
the public, for employing my modicum of ability in pro-
curing a number of Amorous Poems, having sacrificed
lavishly at the shrine of my favourite Goddess?
A3 With .
iv PREFACE.
With respect to this Collection, it will be but justice
to mention, that many celebrated characters in the lite«
rary horizon have contributed to the enrichment of this
my entry into Authorship or Editorship, or whatever the
reader is pleased to call it.
One word more, and I have done. As there are many
prudes, or women who would wish to be considered so •
let them, if they have a mind to peruse my volume, with-
out injuring their reputation, have it bound prayer-book
fashion, lettered, Marriage Ceremony with Notes; when
they may at all times and places, and in all company,
amuse themselves, and at the same time establish the
piety of their characters. If it suits the constitution of
the Divine, he may bind it in vellum, and letter it, Ca-
tulli, Tibulli, et Propertii Opera j if of the Philosopher,
it may wear the appearance of the Morals of Seneca, the
Sayings of Epictetusj the Problems of Euclid, or the
Labours of Archimedes j or should it delight the Physi-
cian, he may convert it into the Works of Galen or Hip-
pocrates, or the Art of Midwifery : the Lawyer may con-
sider it as the Lex Naturae ; the Statesman as An Essay-
on Increasing the Poll-Toxy the Botanist as the Genera
Plantarum Linnsei *, and the Tradesman as Hayes's In-
terest, or The pleasant Art of becoming a Bankrupt with
-xpediuon and female pity. Nay, so well am I con-
inced it will suit my brother's taste, that I intend send-
ing him a copy under the title of The complete Art of
Free Living.
CONTENTS.
CONTENTS.
A. PAGE
A nacreon to his Mistress, by Dr. Broome .. 64
J-J&- .--------_. on his Mistress's Picture, from the
Greek................................ 139
Adieu and Recall to Love, by Mr. P—------ .... 140
The Amorous Groom, a tale, from La Fontaine .. 289
Anacreontic Song, aung by Mr. liooke ........ 300
' B. '
Beauty and Wine, Union of, a song, by G. A.
Stevens.............................. 94
The Bower, from Anacreon, by E. O. B. Esq. .. 105
Belinda, Epigram on ...................... 168
B-------------, D— of, Song by.............. 245
Billingsgate Nan, a song.................. 362
C.
Cynthia, by the B— of B~—d.............. 18
Chloe, Epigram on, by Sir C. H. Williams ...... 28
Celia, Lines left on the Toilet of, by It. B.
S--------_, Esq. ...................... 48
Chloe's Wedding on the twenty-first of December,
by C~-----F—.......................«.-.. 66
Chloe, Song on, by C—— T-------------n ,, „... 68
Cupid stray'd............................ 77
Cautious Bride, by R. B. "S—------, Esq....... 79
Corinna and Belvidera....................., 97
To the Hon, Miss Carteret.................. 99
Captain .
vl CONTENTS,
PAGE
Captain Cupid, by Lord E—--------m .......... 106
Celia vanquished.......................... 110
*»___. .„.., „„.,— Answer to.................... Ill
Chastity, a song, by G. A. Stevens ............ 113
Chloe triumphant, by Sir J—- J------• .......... 146
Cupid lost, from Moschus, by Fawkes .......... 177
Cynthia, a song.......................... 244
Cupid, the Birth of, by the D— of D---------- .. -288
Cure for the Influenza, a tale, by Mr. H, ...... 350
D.
The Dream, from Anacreon, by Fawkes ........ 21
Don Pringello's Tale, by Mr. H------II ........ ib.
Dick and Doll, a song, by G. A. Stevens........ 44
To Delia, by Mr. B—t .................. 90
Dolly, a song...................,..,...,, 309
E.
.Epigram, from Martial...................... 28
Epithalamium, from Secundus, by R. B. S——, ,
Esq................................... 50
.The End, a song, by G. A. Stevens.......... 103
Epithalamium of Achilles and Deidamia, from Blon,
by Fawkes *. .......................... 117
Economy of Love, by Dr. Armstrong .......... 118
Epitaph pinned to a Lady's Bed-curtains, on her
Wedding-night, by the E— of S.---------< .... 153
Epithalamium on the Marriage of Stratocles and
Myrilla, from Anacreon^ by Fawkes ........ 158
Epigram on ■■ ■ ...,,..,................ 168
The Eggs, a tale, by Lr- W— E— ...... 180
Epistle
CONTENTS. Til
PACE
Epistle from Mr. B-———> written at Otaheite, to
L—y G—r.......................... 265
F.
F----------y Lady, on a Picture of, by L—d
p_„---------h .......................... 12
Fiaviila, Epigram on ...................... 47
Fanny, Song on, by C-------1 T.........n........ 67
On a Fan, by L—d J. T-------------....____v... 69
Fair Penitent, a song...................... 263
Fair Nun, a tale, by Mr. Fenton............ 312
Fancy-stirring Bowl, a song, by Capt. Morris .... 346
G.
The Geranium, by R. B. Sheridan, Esq.......,. 24
On a Lady's Girdle........................ 97
H.
Hans Carvel's Ring .............................. 401
Honey-Moon, an Ode.........................■, 7
The Husband, by a Lady ...................... 152.".
To Hamilla, a Song .............................- 191
Hero and Leander, Loves of, from Musseus, by
Fawkes................................ 246
Hob in the Well, a tale, by Mr, H—-—- .... 284
Helen, the Rape of, from the Greek of Coluthus,
by the B—m of L——..................•., 374
J.
Jove and Semele, by the D— of Q————. .... j 01
The Inseparable Pair, a tale, by Mr. H——- .-. 322
Jeu de Mot ori a Dealer in the Miraculous, who in-
trigued with his Maid.................... 392
K.
Kissing, a song, by Gf A. Stevens ....»,,,,,,, 71
Km
viii CONTENTS.
PAGE
Kiss of Bonefonius ........................ 97
Kiss, Design of a.......................... 7 8
Kitty's Chamber Window, Soliloquy at ........ 298
L.
Lydia and Lubin, an epigram, by L—d M—— y 6
Lincoln, Lord, Ode to, by Sir C. H. Williams, i '. ♦ 13
To a Lady on her Parrot.................. .. 29
On a Lady's Pocket-book, by the Hon. Mrs.
T—-—.............;;.;............ si
Ladies, Epigram on the ..................... 47
Lamentable Case, by Sir C. H. Williams ........ 72
To Lydia by the D— of 0—- ......____.. 73
On Lesbia, by L—d S------—........-----.... 75
On Love, from Anacreon, by Fawkes .......... 92
Love-Song, by G. A, Stevens ,,.,». 1......... 95
Logical Song............................ 110
The Love Draught, from Anacreon, by Fawkes .. 2 49
Lydy, churning............................ 156
A Lover's Anger, by the D— of M-——----...... 169
Love, Ode to, by G— K—*——, Esq........... 283
The Leaky Vessel, a tale .....,,..»........... 355
The Lout looking for his Heifer.............. 406
M.
Mutual Love, a song, by G. A. Stevens.......» 4
To Myra, by Lord Lyltletap................ 70
The Marriage Morn, an Anacreontic.......... 93
Maria, a song, by G. A. Stevens .............'. 112
Margaret and Moses, Epigram on the Marriage
Of..........................,......... 152
Melissa's
CONTENTS. k
PAGE
Melissa's Lips, Sonnet to, by Br. W—— •••••• 15/
1 Melissa, Sonnet to, by the same............. • ib.
Maid, Epitaph on a....................... • 168
The Curious Maid ..............-----...... 399
IM---------, General, and his young Wife, a tale,
by'Mr.H-------.........................- 273
Melesinda's Misfortune, or the Burning of her
Smock................................ 346
My Thing is my own, a song ....>........**. 368
The Magnifying Glass, a tale ...............* 370
Morris, Captain, Songby .................... 373
Miss in her Teens, a tale, by Mr. H-------1 ...... 393
N.
Nesera, Epigram on, from Marullus, by the E— of
S~-------..........,;.y................. 47
Nell Wedded, an epigpam.................... 67
. Nesera, Kiss of, from Secundum, by the &—* of
Q-^------.......................«,......-. lis..
The Ninevite, a tale...................... 174
Nelly, a song e.. „........................ 2SI
O.
Odd, Imitation of the 10th Elegy of the Second
Book of, by Dr. W—».................. 142
P.
Phillis, Epigram on ... I ........'....,.*..... 46
Pompadour, Madam, Epigram on, by Yoltaire, on
her being made MistreSs to Lewis XV. ..;. 145
Pallas and Venus, by the ^Countess of H-*-——- .. 151
Progress of Love...................,*,,..> 321
The, Parson and Maid, &c, . »....,...„.,..... 417
Quadrille*
x CONTENTS.
PAGE
Q.
Quadrille, to a Lady playing at, by Mr. T—11 ,» 49
R.
The Rapture.............................. 11
Rose, the Birth of, by Bonnel Thornton, Esq. «\ 27
The Rival Beauties, from the Greek............ 31
Ralph and Kate, an epigram ................. 48
Roger and Molly.........................♦ 154
A Riddle, by L~ W.------— R—-----1........ 155
The Ramblers; or, an Imitation of the first
Love Scene in open Air, a tale, by L-— J-—
■ r__—4.,;;;;, .%.;..".>,.....,....... •«« 17.0
Royal Assignation...................,.,....'. 173
The Royal Cuckold, a tale.................. 329
S.
Song, by Mrs, R. ..........------........------ 9
.------„__ the Hon. Mr, H---------- .♦>.*........ 107
----—-------Captain Jackson.................. 108
Song on a beautiful, but very young Lady ...... 264
Stray Nymph, by Dr. W—-----........,..... 10
Strephon and Blowsalind, by Dr. M-——- .... 30
The Saddle.............................. 407
The Spectacles /,,......____............. 409
i '■ The 'Squire, a tale, by Myself................ 192
Softly, an Ode from Hafez, by the late Captain
Thomas Ford.......................... 2?S
Seeing is Believing, a tale, by Mr. H——*----* • •« 280
S—h, E— of, Song by............... 31©
Ibid ,'................................... 347
T.
T-----;—-1 L—j an Address to, by Capt. Morris .. 16
CONTENTS. xi
PAGE
On Lady TyrconneFs Ring, by Mr. S-----—— .... 169
The Three Monks, a tale, by Mr. H----------.... 302
The Tree of Life, a song, by Capt. M------s .... 318
T—------1 L—, Song by.................... 320
V.
Venus, Hymn to, from Sappho, by Fawkes...... 1
_-™_J Ode to, by Mr. H—1.....r........ 3
Venus mistaken.......................... 12
— —, General Churchill's Address to.......... 14
„—-? Girdle of, unbuckled. By the D— of
■ b«------......................*......... 31
■ -u. represented on a Disk, from Anaereon, by
the Hon. Mr. G—------e........-----...... 65
——» Pastime of, from Bonefonius ............ 76
■------Prayer to, by W------S----------, Esq....... 149
Valentine's Day, Lines to a young Lady, with a
pair of Gloves, by Dr. B——y................ 49
W.
Wt**-——y, L—y, Epistle from, to a Female
Friend, descriptive of the Nuptial Joys ...... 80
To Mrs. W—-—•—, on her putting Orange Flowers
in her Bosom, by L—d F-^— —.. ■♦.....„-.;»,- §s
The Warming-Pan, by Capt.. Thompson .»,....« 144
Well Judged, a tale, by Mr. T---------—4 ..,„,. 159 -
Woman, a song ........• *.....•.......... * 392
The
The following Collection may be had of the same
Booksellers ; it has frequently enlivened the brilliant
Circles at St. James's, Buckingham-House, and Wind-
sor.
The Birth of the Rose, the Geranium, the Pastime of
Venus, the Devil's Tail, the Kiss of Lydia, Life's &
Joke, and several other celebrated Poems are now
added, which were formerly handed about only in Ma-
nuscript.
The SIXTEENTH EDITION of
The FESTIVAL of WIT;
Selected by G------ K-----—,
SUMMER RESIDENT AT WINDSOR;
And carefully copied from the Common-place Book3
with the Names, of the Parties who introduced them
to the R-------E~»
u This is, beyond all comparison, the best Collection
" of good Things we ever read: it is not a delicate Mor~
€i ceau for the polite Circles only, it must suit the taste
" of every Man who- loves cheerftil Conversation and At-
<c tic Wit. Were we to bestow on it as much Praise as
€£ it really merits, we should occupy more Room in our
" Review in pointing out the Excellencies of this little
u Volume than we can spare."
Review for September*
Price Three Shillings and Six-pence in boar-K
*#* The FESTIVAL of WIT, and the FESTIVAL of
LOVE, form two of the most lively and entertaining
Volumes that ever were printed.
POEMS.
HYMN TO-VENUS.
FROM SAPPHO. BY FAWKES.
TTENUS, bright goddess of the skies,
To whom unnumbered temples rise,
Jove's daughter fair, whose wily arts
Delude fond lovers of their hearts ;
O ! listen gracious to my prayer,
And free my mind from anxious care.
If e'er you heard my ardent vow,
Propitious goddess, hear me now !
And oft my ardent vow you *ve heard, *
I By Cupid's friendly aid preferr'd,
Oft left the golden courts of Jove,
To listen to my tales of love*
The radiant car your sparrows drew j
You gave the word, and swift they flew.
Through liquid air they wing'd their way,
fc-1 saw their quivering pinions play j
To my plain roof they bore their queen,
Of aspect mild and look serene.
B Soon
[ 2 ]
Soon as you came, by your command
Back flew the wanton feather'd band,
Then, with a sweet enchanting look^
Divinely smiling, thus you spoke; / .
* Why didst thou call me to thy cell ?
* Tell me, my gentle Sappho, tell.
* What healing med'cme shall I find
* To cure thy love-distemper'd mind ?
* Say, shall I lend thee all my charms,
* To win young Phaon to thy arms ?
* Or does some other swain subdue
8 Thy heart? my Sappho, tell me who ?
* Though now, averse, thy charms he slight^
* He soon shall view thee with delight j
* Though now he scorns thy gifts to take,
g He soon to thee shall offerings make;
* Though now thy beauties fail to move,
g He soon shall melt with equal love.9
Once more, O Venus ! hear my prayer^
And ease my mind of anxious care j
Again vouchsafe to be my guest,
And calm this tempest in my breast I
To thee* bright queen, my vows aspire |
O grant me ail my heart's desire!
■ ©BE
[ s J
ODE TO VENUS,
BY MR. H-------LL«
f\ VENUS ! awful sovereign of the spring,
Could I like thy Lucretius sing,
Here would I pause, thy wonders to relate !
Here would I pause, to hymn thy praise
In adamantine words, stronger than fate^
And everlasting as his lays I
O'er seas and deserts, undismay'd,
Strengthtn'd by thy inspiring breathy
The timorous and bashful maid,
Faces both infamy and deathI
Driven by the incens'd divinity,
Confounding equity and truth,
Order, and rank, and consanguinity,
And loathsome age, and blooming youth*
Behold the frantic passion, how it burns,
Like a wild beast, breaks ev'ry tie j
Laughs at the priest, the legislator spurns,
And gives both heav'n and earth the lie !
Let youth and insolence alone
Provoke thy vengeance v.v'ry houri
But O ! spare those that know, that ow%
Adore3 and tremble at thy power I
B 2 With
[ 4 j
With thy propitious doves descend,
And hear the tender virgin's sighs j
The humble and the meek defend,
And bid the prostrate suppliant rise,
MUTUAL LOVE.
A SONG. BY G* A, STEVENS.
Tune ;—As Chloe onjlowcrs reclin'd, &c»
/~\N a brook's grassy brink, in the willow's cool
shade,
' The primroses pressing, a damsel was laid ;
She smil'd on the tide that roll'd limpid along.
Beholding herself, to herself sung this song.—
The 'Squire's fine lady last night he brought
home |
What', though in such gay clothes from London she '$
come, . _
Had I costly fashions, as well should I seem,
For fairer my face is, if truth's in this stream*
Through church-yard, on Sunday, as slowly 1 tread,
While gaping louts, grinning, on tombstones are
spread j
I hear how they praise me, I keep on my way,
And, down-looking, seem not to heed what they
say.
Sometimes
[ 5 ]
Sometimes lords and captains, all over perfume,
Will stop me, and tell me, I Jm beauty in bloom j
That I rival the rose,—that I *m whiter than snow :
I simper, and simply say,—a Don't jeer one so."
They Ve press'd me, they Ve promis'd, nay offer'd
me gold^
Sometimes (I assure them) they Ve strove to.be bold;
They 've talk'd of my treasure, they 've caiPd it a
gem;
To be sure so it is,«—but it is not for them.
No! no ! 'tis for him, and 'tis only his part,
Who's the man of my hope, and the hopes of my
heart;
Who friendly instructs me, who fondly can play,
And his eyes always speak what his wishes wou'd
say.
The ranging bee sweets from the honey-cup sips.
As sweet I taste love from the touch of his lips j
Oft my cheek on the fleece of my lambkins I rest,
But cold is that pillow compar'd to his breast.
'Tis here for my fair one S—her lover reply'd,,
O'er the hedge as he leap'd, and light dropp'd at her
side;
She started ! a moment life 's bloom left her face,
But quick 'twas recall'd by the warmth of embrace.
She languishing lay, in love's tenderest scene,
And question'd the rambler* where 'twas he had
been ?
Why
[ 6 ]
Why so he wou'd fright her—she Jd scold him she
vow'd j
But a kiss was his plea, and that plea was allow'd.
Till by kisses o'ereome, to his transports she
yields,
The landscapes were lost, and forgot were the
fields 5
Each felt those sensations susceplibles prove,
Who, mutually melting, exchange mutual love,
EPIGRAM.
BY l— D M—-------Y.
AS Lydia on a bank reclining lay,
Young Lubin stole one half her charms away:
The lovely maid, her honour to preserve,
Brew back, and treated him with cold reserve.
But he more am'rous grown, now press'd her
hand,
The more he press'd, the less she could withstand;
Vanquish'd, in excess of bliss her all she lost,—
And with a boy soon made him pay the cost!
THE
[ 7 ]
THE HONEY-MOON.
AN ODE.
ipOME, Cytherea, with thy doves,
And all thy train of little loves,
Come from Idalia's pleasing shade,
For joy and am'rous frolics made j
Come, and assist an anless tune,
Which strives to waible forth the Honey-Mooiu
When Hymen does the pair unite,
And promises supreme delight 5
With sparkling torch comes bright to view,
And points at raptures great and new;
What pleasure is expected soon;
Then, then ! comes on the pleasing Honey-Moon*
Cynthia, the virgin goddess bright,
With greater speed rides down the night $
Her modesty betrays her heart,
Shews in such sports she fd take a part;
But that her wish she dares not own,
Or Jove with her would have an Honey-Moon*
c An Honey-Moon !' cries simpering miss,
s 1 wonder much what *s meant by this!
' I have all sweets quite near me, handy,
* Is Honey-Moon like sugar-candy?*
The joyful time will tell you soon,
When you will bless the happy Honey-Moon.
Ah! '
- .[ 8 ]
Ah I then those sweets unknown before,,
Will make you long, dear miss, for more ■
Will make you lick your lips, and cyj9
4 Till now, O what a fool was I!
* What pleasing touches!—what a tune .
I Can e'er be play'd that *s like the Honey-Moon/
Could but the virgin in her teens,
Tell what the joys of wedlock means j
She would not long the bliss delay,
But with the first dear youth away j
On Venus5 bed would tumble down,
And there prolong the charming Honey-Moon.
When heaving breasts delightful rise5
And pant with soft ecstatic sighs !
When folding arms fond arms embrace, '
And love seems furious for the chace |
Unnumber'd joys the pair must crown$
Who then begin the pleasing Honey-Moon,
Ah I then encounter breast with breast.*
And tenderest accents are exprest;
* My love>. I melt! I burn 1 I burst V
The next is better than the first;
And so progressive they go on,
To make a heaven of the Honey-Moon.
Then all that youthful poets dreanv
Beneath the shade or by the stream^
Is realiz'd, and certain found,
Beyond imagination's bound;
All
t 9 ]
All that can please is felt or shewn,'
During the happy time of Honey-Moon.
Then hastes ye youths, and haste, ye fair,
Love's banquet of delight to share j
Advance to Hymen's sacred fane,
A rich reward you 11 surely gain;
Each rapture will attend you soon,
And give you all the joys of Honey-Moon.
song; ■ .
BY MRS. R«-----——
'TO make the man kind, and, keep true to your
bed,,
Whom your choice, or your destiny, brings you to
wed j
Take a hint from a friend, whom experience has
taught,
And experience, we know, never fails when 'tis
bought!
The arts which you practis'd, at first, to ensnare,
(For in love little arts, as in battle, are fair)
Whether neatness, or prudence, or wit were the
bait,
Let the hooje still be eover'd, and still play the
cheat,
B s Shou'd
. [ 10 ]
Should he fancy another, upbraid not his fkraie !
To reproach him is never the way to-reclaim j
*Tis more to recover than conquer an heart;
For one is all nature, the other all art.
Though a fairer than you he shou'd happen to see,
Bs pleas'd with his choice, and then wish you were
she;
Slvly find out your rival's particular charms,
And at night be the very same girl in his arms.
Good sense is to them, what a face is to you;
Flatter that, and like us, they but think it their
due: ' .
Doubt the strength of your judgment, compared to
his own,
And he *11 give you perfections, at present unknown.
Shou'd you learn that your rival his bounty
partakes,
And your merited favour, ungrateful, forsakes |
Still, still, debonair j still engaging and free,
Be deaf, though you hear j and be blind, while you see,
THE STRAY NYMPH.
BY DR. W-----------.
/~"*EA3E your music, gentle swains |
Saw ye Delia cross the plains,?
Every thicket, every grove,
Have I rang'd to find my love i
A W;
[ 11 ] .
A kid, a lamb, my flock I '1! give"%
Tell me only, doth she live ?
White her skin as mountain-snow,
in her cheek the roses blow.
And her eye is brighter far
Than the beamy morning star.
When her ruddy lip ye view,
sTis a berry moist with dew :
And her breath, Oh I 'tis a gale
Passing o'er a fragrant vale,
Passing when a friendly shower
Freshens every herb and flower.
Wide her bosom opens, gay
As the primrose-dell in May ;
Sweet as violet-borders growing,
Over fountains ever-flowing,
Like the tendrils of the vine,
Do her auburn tresses twine j
Glossy ringlets all behind,
Streaming buxom to the wind,
When along the lawn she bounds,
Light as hind before the hounds %
And the youthful ring she fires,
Hopeless in their tfond desires.
As her flitting feet advance,
Wanton in the winding dance.
Tell me, shepherds, have ye seen.
My delight,-my love, my queen ?
THE
[- u 1
THE BAPTURE,
/"iRIED Streplion, panting in Cosmelia's arms,
I die, bright -nymph, I die amidst your charms !
Cheer up, dear youth, reply'd the maid,
Dissolved in am'rous pain,
All men must die, (bright boy, you know,)
Ere they can rise again.
VENUS MISTAKEN.
TyHEN Chloe's picture was to Venus shown;
Surprised, the goddess took it for her own;
And what, said she, does this bold painter mean?
When was I bathing thus, and naked seen ?
Pleas'd Cupid heard, and check'd his mother's pride j
' And who's blind now, mamma ? the urchin cried.
Tis Chloe's eye, and cheek, and lip, and breast;
Friend Howard's genius fancied all the rest,
ON A PICTURE OF LADY F—Y.
" BY L—B P-™-----H.
WHEN fam'd Apelles sought to frame
Some image of th? Idalian dame,
To furnish graces for the piece,
He summon'd all the nymphs of Greece %
\ So
[ 13 ]
So many mortals were combi n'd,
To shew how one immortal shin'd:
Hadst thou thus sat by proxy too,
As Venus then was said to do,,
Venus herself, and ail her train
Of goddesses, had summon'd been ;
The painter must have searched tlte skies.,
To match the lustre of your eyes :
Comparing- then, while thus we view,
The ancient Venus and the new,
In her we many mortals see,
As many goddesses in thee.
ODE TO L—D L~~~~N,
BY SIR C. H. WILLIAMS.
r\ LINC-LNI joy of womankind,
To you this humble ode's designMj
Let ——- inspire my song:
Gods I with what pow'rs are you endu'd^
Tiberius was not half so lewd,
Nor Hercules so strong.
*Tis —— now my pen employs,
And since I sing of heav'nly joys,
From heav'n my notes I ?li bring:
And though the lyric strain I choose^
1 '11 open like the Mantuan muse,
——., and the man I sing.
But
[ 14 ]
But don't expect much flattery
From such an honest bard as me,
Dear, noble, vig'rous youth ;
For when I say that you-----—— more
Than mortal ever did before,
You know I say the truth.
Four times a night some happy fair,
You ■——■— throughout the gliding year,
This course of joy pursuing;
Of feats like these, what annals speak ?
'Tis eight-and-twenty-times a week,
And, 'faith! that's glorious doing.
Had Messalina------■-— with you,
Whom no man gever could subdue,
Though many a Roman tried;
She M own'd your vigour and your charms,
And melting, dying in your arms,
Cried out«--------—— 1 'm satisfied!
Then still love on with loosen'd reins,
While youth is boiling in your veins,
'And sparkles in your face:
With whores be lewd, with whigs be hearty;
And both in -———, and in party,
Confess your noble race.
To you and steady Pelham then,
With joy I sll dedicate my pen.
For both shall be my theme j
Since both divided England share,
You have the love of every fair.
He every man's esteem.
[ 15 ]
HORACE, Lib. I. Ode XXX,'
Paraphrased by Sir C. H. WILLIAMS,
GENERAL CHURCHILl/s
ADDRESS TO VENUS.
f\ VENUS, joy of men and gods,
Forsake awhile thy blest abodes,
And deign to visit my land;
On thy fond vot'ry kindly smile,
Quit Paphos and the Cyprian isle,
To reign in my dear island.
Thee, goddess, thee, my pray'rs invoke g
To thee alone my altars smoke;
O ! treat me not with rigour j
Thy wanton son bring with thee too.,
My dying embers he '11 renew,
And give, me back my vigour.
Bring too the graces to my arms,
Girls that are prodigal of charms,
Of every favour lavish;
Melting and yielding let them be j
Consider I am sixty-three,
And that's too old to ravish.
het florid youth attend thy train \
Much wanted by thy crazy swain $
And, gentle Venus, prithee,
To crown my gifts, and ease my pain,
Since Ward has labour'd long in vain,
Let Mercury come with thee.
ADDRESS
[ 16 ]
ADDRESS TO LADY i-*-*U>?
Who asked Captain Morris, What the Passion of Love
was f
VOU ask me, What's Love?—Why, that virtue-fed
vapour,
Which poets spread over our longings, like gauze,
May do for a swain who can feed upon paper;
But flesh is my diet, and blood is the cause.
A delicate tendre, spun into Platonic,
Suits the feminine fop—whom no beauties pro-
voke j
But the blood of a Welchman is hot and laconic,
And he loves, as he fights, with a word and a stroke.
Yetj I grant you, there is a sweet madness of passion^
A raptur'd delirium of mental delight;
Though, alas! my dear madam, not live in the nation
Whose souls have an optic to view the blest light.
But we speak not of minds of distinguished selection,
But love, common love, in its earthly attire;
Which, believe me, when dress'd in this high-flown
affection,
Wears the thread*bare disguise of a bankrupt desire.
For the bosom *s deceit, like the spendthrift's pro-
fusion,
As the substance declines* rich appearances tries j
More gay as more weak, till this splendid delusion,
In a pang of bright vanity, dazzles and dies*
Ah!
[ 17 ]
All! if in a strain of pure sentiment flowing,
No animal warmth cheeks the eloquent tongue $ •
Tis the trick of the coxcomb to boast your undoing.
And pride, taste, or impotence, prompts the foul
wrong!
For love, in a tumult of soft agitation,
O'ercome with its ardour, bids language retire j
And, lost in emotions of troubled sensation,
Still breathes the soft accent of silent desire.
Yes, the god's on the wing, when a delicate Damon
In sickly composure sits down to refine j
For love, like a hectic, when weakly the stamen,
Still brightens the skin as the solids decline.
If such be the love you propose in the question,
No doubt 'tis a phantom, dress'd up by the mind,,
And, believe me, it is not a substance to rest on,
But the fraud of cold bosoms, and Vanity's blind.
But for me, my dear madam, a poor carnal sinner,
Whose love keeps no Lent, or on rhapsody starves j
With the sharp sauce of hunger I fall to my dinner,
And take without scruple, what appetite carves.
So, my good lady ———, all beauty and merit,
You see, though I doat on your face and your mind5
The devil a grain should I feel of love's spirit,
If looks didn't warrant your shape and your kind.
With
[ 18 ]
With tliis taste you, perhaps, will upbraid my vile
nature;
But thus stands the case; and in truth to my
theme,
Were my mistress the first, both in mind and in
feature,
Unsejc her, and passion would fade like a dream.
As a poet indeed, I Ve a licence for fiction,
To dress in heroics the treacherous heart;
But take tjie sad truth, and excuse the plain diction,
" For love moves with me in an honester part."
But, perhaps, you may know something more of the
matter,
Then deign to inform the dull soul of a brute—*
A hint of your mind would most pleasingly flatter,
And to hear it I 'd always be willing and mute*
TO CYNTHIA. ;;
BY THE D—— OF B——»
npHE transient season let's improve.
That human life allots to love j
.Youth soon, my Cynthia 1 flies away.
And age assumes its frozen sway j
With
[ 19 J
With elegance and neatness drest,
Come then, in beauty's bloom confess
And in my fond embrace be blest!
Faint stragglings but inflame desire,
And serve to fan the lover's fire;
Then yield not all at once your charms,
But with reluctance fill my arms ;
My arms 1 that shall, with eager haste,
Encircle now your slender waist j
Now round your neck be careless hung,
And now o'er all your frame be flung t
About your limbs my limbs I '11 twine,
And lay your glowing cheek to mine 3
Close to my broader manlier chest,
I *11 press thy firm, proud-swelling breast |
Now rising high, now falling low,
As passion's tide shall ebb or flow,
My murm'ring tongue shall speak my blisSj
Shall court your yielding lips to kiss,
Each kiss with thousands I'll repay,
And almost suck my .breath away ;
. A thousand more you then shall give,
And then a thousand more receive;
In transport half-dissolved we '11 lie,
Venting our wishes in a sigh I
Quick-starting from me, now display
Your loose and discompos'd array;
Your hair shall o'er your polish'd brow
In sweetly-wild disorder flow,
- And
[ so ]
And those long tresses from "behind,
You us'd in artful braids to bind,
Shall down your snowy bosom spread
Redundant, in a soften'd shade;
And from your wishful eyes shall stream
The dewy light of passion's flame :
While now and then a look shall glance j
Your senses lost in am'rous trance ;
That fain my rudeness would.remove,
Yet plainly tells how strong you love :
The roses., heighten'd on your cheek,
Shall the fierce tide of rapture speak j
And on your lips a warmer glow
The deepened ruby then shall show;
Your breast, replete with youthful fire,
Shall heave with tumults of desire;
Shall heave at thoughts of wish'd-for bliss,
Springing as though 'twould meet my kiss;
Down on that heav'n I '11 sink quite spent,
And lie in tender languishment ;
But soon your charms' reviving pow'r
Shall to my frame new life'restore;
With love I '11 then my pains assuage,
With kisses cool my wanton rage,
Hang o'er thy beauties till I cloy,'
Then cease, and then renew my joy !
THE
[ *i ]
THE DREAM.
FROM ANACREON. BY FAWKES*
AS oV>n a purple bed supine.
Rapt- in the pleasing joys of wine,
I lull'd my ^eary limbs to rest,
Methought, w, ;th nymphs supremely blest*
A beauteous band, \ urg'd the chace,
Contending in the rapi, 4 race .
While fairest youths, witi ^ envv stun<*",
Fair as Lyaeus ever young,'
With jealous leer and bitter jes;-^
I Their keen malevolence exprest j
Intent to love, I strive to greet
I The gamesome girls with kisses sw<
And, as on pleasure's brink I seem,
Wake?—and behold! 'tis all a dream.
Vex'd to be thus alone in bed,
My visionary charmers fled;
To dream l3nce more I close my eyes,
. Again, ye soft illusions, rise !
DON PRINGELLO'S TALE.
THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE HOLY NUNS: OR,
THE MONK'S WISE JUDGMENT.
BY MR, H—-LL.
'THERE is a noble town call'd Ghent,
A city famous for its wares,
For priests, and nuns, and Flanders mares;
And for the best of fish in Lent.
/There
[ %% f
There you may see, threatVmg destruction^
A hundred forts and strong redoubts,
Just like Vauban's, with ins and outs,
And cover'd-ways of love's construction.
In one, constructed as above,
There dwelt two nuns of the same a^3 »
Joln'd like two birds in the samp cage,
Both by necessity and love.
In towns of idleness and sloth »
Where the chief trade h* tittle-tattle,
Though priests are .commoner than cattle,
They had but cu-ae between them both.
OuMiur.s should have had two at least,
In Ghent they 're common as great gunsj
Which made it hard upon our nuns,—>
And harder still upon the priest.
But he was worthy of all praise,
With spreading shoulders and a chesty
A leg, a chine, and all the rest.
tike Herculess of the Farnese,
Amongst the nuns there was a notion,
That these two sisters were assign'd
To him, for a severer kind
Of penitential devotion.
His penance lasted a whole year,
And he had such-a piece of work j
If it had been for turning Turk,
It could not have been i^ore severe.
I 23 I
©ur nuns, which is no common case^
Living together without jangling j
All on a sudden fell a wrangling,
About precedency and place.
They both with spleen were like to burst,
Like two proud misses when they fight
At an assembly, for the right
Of being taken out the first.
Before the priest they made this clatter,
. Btiween them both he was perplex'dj
And study'd to find out a text
To end the controverted matter.
Children, said he, scratching his sconce*
I should be better pleas'd than you^
Could I divide myself in two,
And satisfy you both at once.
Angels, perhaps, may have such pow'rsf
But it is fit and seasonable,
That you should be more reasonable,
Whilst you 're with beings such as ours,
Be friends, and listen to the teacher t
Cease your vain clamour and dispute^
Be je like fishes mute,
Before Saint Anthony the preacher.
To end at once all disputation,
I '11 set my back against that gate,
'And there produce, erect and straight^
The cause of all your altercation,
[ «* '■]
But first, you both shall hooded be,
Both so effectually blinded,
'Twill be impossible to find it,
Except by chance or sympathy.
Which of you first, be it agreed,
The rudder of the church can seize^
Like Peter's vicar with his keys,
Shall keep the helm, and heave the lead j
She shall go first, I mean to say,
And have precedence ev'ry day.
The nuns were tickled with the jest,
They were content; and.he contriv'd,
To give the helm, for which they strivMj
To her that manag'd it the best!
THE GERANIUM.. '
BY R. B. SHERIDAN, E S <J*
There is a tide in the affairs of men, which, taken■ at the
flood, leads on to fortune, Shakespeare,
TN the close covert of a grove,
By nature form'd for scenes of love,
Said Susan in a lucky hour,
Observe yon sweet geranium flower?
How straight upon its stalk it stands,
And tempts our violating hands.;
WbUf
[ [ 25 ]
While the soft bud, as yet unspread.
Hangs down its pale declining head j
Yet, soon as it is ripe to blow,
The stem shall rise, the head shall glowo
Nature, said I, my lovely Sue,
I ■ To all her followers lends a clew;
Her simple laws themselves explain,
As links of one continued chain;
For her, the mysteries of creation
Are but the works of generation:
Yon blushing, strong, triumphant flower,
Is in the crisis of its power.;
But short, alas! its vigorous reign,
He sheds his seed, and drops again j
The bud that hangs in pale decay,
Feels not, as yet, the plastic ray;
To-morrow's sun shall bid him rise,
I Then, too, he sheds his seed, and dies :—-
But words, my love, are vain and vveak^
For proof, let .bright example speak.
Then straight before the wond'ring maid
The tree of life I gently laid;
Observe, sweet Sue, his drooping head,
How pale, how languid, and how dead !
Yet, let the sun of thy bright eyes
Shine but a moment, it shall rise;
Let but the dew of thy bright hand
Refresh the stem, it straight shall stand;
Already, see, it swells, it grows,
Its head is redder than the rose ;
C Its
[ * ]
Its shrivell'd fruit, of dusky hue,
Now glows, a present fit for Sue j
The balm of life each artery fills,
And in o'erflowing drops distils.
€t Ah I me!" cried Susan, " whence is this ?
What strange tumultuous throbs of bliss I
Sure, never mortal, till this hour,
Felt such emotion at a flower:
Oh, serpent I cunning to deceive,
Sure 'tis this tree that tempted Eve;
The crimson apples hang so fair,
Alas! what woman could forbear ?"
Well hast thou guess'd, my love, I cried,
It is the tree by which she died;
The tree which could alone content her|
All nature, Susan, seeks the centre.
Yet, let us still poor Eve forgive,
It is the tree by which we live j
For lovely woman, still it grows,
And in the centre only blows.
But chief for tliee it spreads its charms,
For paradise is in thy arms.—
I eeas'd, for nature kindly here
Began to whisper in her ear j
And lovely Sue lay softly panting,
While the geranium tree was plantings
Till in the heat of am'rous strife,
She burst the mellow tree of life.
*' Oh, Heav*n!" cried Susan, with a sigh,
** The hour we taste,—we surely die 5
Strange
E If :|
Strange raptures seize ray fainting frame*
And all my body glows with flame j
Yet let me snatch one parting kiss^
To tell my love I die with bliss;
That pleas'd, thy Susan yields her breath-—;
Oh! who would live, if this be death!—!?
THE BIRTH OF THE ROSE;
AN ANACREONTIC
BY BONNEL THORNTON, ES£*
** pOME, bind my brows with Venus* ftow*f|
u —'Here, boy 1—another fragrant show'n
u A waste of roses;—heap them higher."
So sung Anaereon to his lyre,
As on the tender bed he lay,
And cmafFd and sported out the day.
When Venus,—-so the poet sung,—-•
First from thej foam of ocean sprung 5
All-dripping wet, all-glowing fair,
Distilling sweets her amber hairs
I As coral red her pulpy lips,
Full as the swelling surge her hipsi
And full her bosom, heaving strong,
Like wave propelling wave along;
Smooth set her teeth in even rows,
White as the foam from whence she rose)
And, shaded soft, a mossy grove
Hung o'er the saline cell of love.
C2 —-Thus
c m ]
——Thus breathing youth and untouch'd charms.,
Mars seiz'd her in his ardent arms,
And, spread amidst a vernal gloom,
All nerve, compress'd her virgin bloom.
Trickling from love's delicious wound
Some sanguine drops bedew'd the ground j
When straight a living crimson spreads.
And new-born roses rear'd their heads.
Their tincture thence—but the sweet gale9
The dews ambrosial they exhale;
Their balmy soul her sigh bestow'd,
Deep as she felt the potent gods
—•And still the prickly thorns declare,
How mix'd with pain her raptures were!
MARTXALIS EPIGRAMMA.
Lib. vL Ep; 34* Imitated*
BY SIR C. H. WILLIAMS.
f*OME, Chloe, and give me sweet kisses,
For sweeter sure never girl gave ;—
But why, in the midst of my blisses,
Do you ask me how many I'd have ?
I'm not to be stinted in pleasure,
Then pry'thee, my charmer, be kind;
For whilst I love thee above measure^
To numbers I'll ne'er be confin'd.
Count
t m j
€ount the bees that on Hybla are playing,
Count the fiow'rs that enamel its fields,.
Count the flocks that on Tempe are straying.
Or the grain that rich Sicily yields j
Go number the stars in the heaven,
Count how many sands on the shore %
When so many kisses you've givens
I still shall be craving for more.
To a heart full of love let me hold thee,
' To a heart which, dear Chloe, is thine,. ,
With my arms I'll for ever infold thee,
And twist round thy limbs like a vine.
What joy can be greater than this is ?
My life on thy lips shall be spent j
But the wretch that can number his kisses^.
With few will be ever content.
TO A LADY ON HER PARROT.
1X7HEN nymphs were coy, and love could not prevail.,
The gods, disguis'd, were never known to faiL
Leda was chaste, but yet a feather'd Jove
Surpris'd the fair, and taught her how to love i
There 's no celestial, but his heav'n would quit
For any form, which might to you admit.
See! how the wanton bird, at ev'ry glance,
Swells his glad plumes, and feels an amorous trance-$
The queen of beauty has forsook the dove,
Henceforth-the parrot be the bird of love.
STRE^
f m- '3
STBEPHON AND BLOWSALIND. ■
OR, THE AMOROUS 'SQUIRE.
BY BR. M_—.
gTREPHON in vain pursued a rural fair,
The rosy object of his tender care!
The nymph, who long had lov'd a jollier swain,
Still view'd the amorous Strephon with disdain.
Provok'd, he strove by force to storm her charms;
She rais'd her hand—and dash'd him from her arms.
*c Oli cease (he cries), subdue that barbarous spite,
u Though doom*d to love—I was not born to fight S
u You 've stoFa my heart, deprive me not of breath j
*' Those frowns are cruel—but that Jist is death Vs
FROM MARTIAL.
Lib. i, Ep. 58*
"Vt)U ask me, my friend, what lass IM enjoy j
I *d have one that is neither too coming—nor coy i
A medium is best| that gives us no pain
By too much indulgence—nor too much disdain.
WRITTEN
. C 3i ]
WRITTEN Of A LAPY'3 POCKET-BOOK.
BY THE HON. MR. T«------.
"WITH what strange raptures would my soul be blest3
Were but her book an emblem of her breast ?
As I, from that, all former marks efface,
And, uncontroFd, put new ones in their plaees
So might I chase all others from her heart,
And my own image in the room impart I
But, ah! how short the bliss would prove, if he
Who seiz'd it next, might do the same by me!
FROM THE GREEK.
THE RIVAL BEAUTIES.
HPHREB lovely nymphs contending for a prize,
Djsplay'd their charms before my critic eyes s
Superior beauties heighten'd ev'ry gracey " -
And seem*d to mark them of celestial race:
But I, who, bless'd like Paris, fear'd his fall$
Swore each a Venus was—and pleas'd them alh
THE GIRDLE OF VENUS
UNjBUCKLED.
Written at the Age of Eighteen^
BY THE I>~~ OF B-*~—.
TN Tempers vale, where nature bloom'd around,
■ And smiling peace and happiness were found i
Where
[ 32 ]
Where rural cots and rustic clowns were seen,
And rosy nymphs gave rapture to the green j
In times long past, Palemon in his cot
Was fix'd by fate to this enchanting spot:
A snowy herd was all he had to boast,
Whose fleecy backs repaid his care and cost j
Wide o*er the dewy lawn they tripp*d along.,
While he, reclined, attun'd his artless song.
Ambitious views had ne'er disturbed his breast*
His mind was simple,, and his heart at rest.
O blissful state of happiness below,
From whence the source of ev'ry good must flow S
Content is pleasure of the purest kind,
The only balm of comfort to the mind.
In shady groves the youth still took his way,
And ease and indolence crowned ev'ry day.
What mortal ills could alter then his state.
And counteract the happiness of fate ?
Love, mighty love, invaded now his breast,
Dlmm'd his bright eye, and robb'd his soul of rest *
Near to a thicket as one morn he stray*d,
He saw a cottage in the pleasing shade j
A little riv'let murmur'd gently by.
Whose flow*r-crowa*d banks gave rapture to the eye j
Listless he laid him down to rest awhile^
And nature all around was seen to smile;
The babbling brook his meditations warm'd,
It pleas'd his fancy, and his soul it charm'd.
While studious thus the moments pass'd away,
His ewes and lambs disporting all the day;
He
[ S3 ]
He fear'd no danger, for he knew no ill,
But fix'd his hopes on Providence's wili|
That Providence which still must govern all,
Who raises up the low, and bids the mighty fall I
Here, while his roving eyes were sent about.
From various scenes to find new beauties out,
A virgin, cheerful as the month of May,
Blithe as the lark, and as the lapwing gay,
Approach'd the water, struck the swain with awe.
Who thought it was a goddess that he saw*--*
Her cheeks were blushing as the op'ning rose,
Her breath was balmy as the zephyr blows,
v Her sparkling eyes gave lustre to the day,
While round her jetty locks in ringlets play;
Light was her robe, thro' which her breasts were
seen,
And show'd the lovely valley close between ;
Loose floating round, her well-turn'd limbs dis-
play'd,
*Twas nature- only cover'd with a shade j /
Her iv'ry legs were naked to the knee,
Where all might fancy what they could not see,
Palemon started instant to her sight,
And gaz'd.upon her with supreme delight:
Nor was the nymph's astonishment less great,
Her bosom swell'd with ev'ry joy elate;
Quick thro* each vein her wand'ring pulses beat,
Pain mix'd with pleasure, something smart, yet
sweet.
f 34 ]!
In silent ecstasy the youth she viewed*
His well-made limbs and manly form pursu'd j
His rosy cheeks, and lustre-darting eye,
Which did the place of language well supply.
Both look'd, both blush'd, as Nature could not reach,
At such a time as this, the pow'r of speech.
At last some broken accents found their way,
And love, unseen, dictated what to say j
The softest words precede substantial blisses,
And close embraces follow'd balmy kisses.
But long they can't indulge their infant flame,
For from the cot forth comes the envious dame j
Who, dead to pleasure, forc'd the nymph away,
A moment longer would not let her stay.
Like to a frantic wretch Palemon star'd,
Soon as the lovely maiden disappeared.
Was it a vision that my sense deceiv'd,
And all my faculties at once bereav'd ?
Was it a dream that flutter'd o'er my mind,
And left this strong impression still behind?'
Ah I no ; too well by me 'tis understood,
No visionary form, but flesh and blood.
Each humid kiss my happy lip retains,
Each close embrace now fills my glowing veins 5
I felt her heaving bosom gently rise,
i saw her blushes, and I heard her sighs,
Where are my flocks ? alas! you heedless strayf
Your shepherd now, like you, has lost his way.
No more shalt downy sleep my eyelids close.
Love, cruel Love, has banish'd my repose \
Or
[ m ]
Or if in sleep sometime I chance to Yie9
Phyllira then is present to my eye;
Fancy supplies what fortune has deny'd,
And throws each artful covering aside;
'Tis then each beauty of her form I view.
Each naked beauty, elegantly true;
No longer cover'd is each heaving breast.
Where love and rapture only is exprest ;
My glancing eye then roves o'er ev'ry part,
And sends the keenest transports to my heart $
With eager lips I snatch a burning kiss,
And rush at once into a sea of bliss.
Gods ! 'tis too much, 'tis agonizing pain,
It fires my fancy, it invades my brain I
And am I in idea only blest ?
Substantially I must enjoy the rest;
1 will, I must; I'll seek again the spot,
And watch Phyllira from her rural cot 5
Invite the nymph my little stock to share.
Soothe rae with love, and banish ev'ry care 1
Her looks, her words, my passion did approve,
And her whole soul was melted into love j
She must be mine, nor shall her haggard dame,
Through spite or envy bar a lover's claim.
Swift as the thought, the shepherd speeds away,
Nor can his bleating flock prolong his stay;
His eager pace soon gains the happy grove,
The pleasing scene of tenderness and love \
Forth to his wish again the maid is found,
Tripping with hasty steps the fertile ground,
: Eager
[ 36 1
Eager like him again she hop'd to meet,
Again embrace, and mingle kisses sweet *
And Venus, to her vot'ries ever true,
Kindly contrived this tender interview.
The thickest shelter of the grove they seek,
Where none but Love can see, or hear them speak;
Now all is rapture, ecstasy, and joy,
The sports of love alike do both employ*
No vagrant footsteps do the scene invade^
But birds sing joyful in the rural shade.
Now vows of constancy between them pass'd,
With truth to love while life itself should last %
That soon at Hymen's fane they would unite^
Then revel free in. unreprov'd delight.
That vow performed, Pa emon takes her home..
Each bosom heaving with new joys to come ;
Each look is pleasure, and each touch imparts
The thrill of rapture to their panting-hearts.
Now Phoebus glitters In the distant west,
And soothes his daily toil on Thetis' breast f
For gods, like mortals, still are fond to prove
The genial source of pleasure and of love,
The nuptial-bed prepar'd, the sun retir'dj,
And sable night come on, by love desir'd,
Phyllira, panting for the wish'd embrace,
First on the couch of bliss now takes her place;
No fear'd delays detain Palemon long.
He mounts the bedj in youth and vigour strong.
Come, glowing Fancy! with the subject join,
Describe those joys which are alone divine
Now
[ S7 ]
Now heaves the nymph, the coming stroke to aid,.
Her head reclining, and her limbs display'd :
While the fond youth his utmost effort gives
That balmy treasure which the fair receives;
Till, lost in floods of joy, they seem'd to die,
And breathe their souls out in a murm'ring sigh !
Each ah! and oil 1 declare the height of bliss,
And lips meet lips, to print a burning kiss.
But all description of this tender sport
Baffles the verse, and must indeed fall short,
When youth and beauty are, by Heav'n design^
In the soft bands of Hymen to be join'd.
The force of love, engaging breast to breast,
May be coneeiv'd, but cannot be exprest.
All night in joy they passM the hours away,
And seem'd to wish the absence of the day j
Yet then, and not till then, did soft repose
Their weary eyes in balmy slumber close,
Which well their over-acting limbs might suits
And give their tired spirits a recruit \
For weary nature some relief requires,
• To aid again our over-warm desires.
Now ev'ry day, and each succeeding night,
Appears a round of unappall'd delight:
More calm their transports, yet their love as true,
As when at- first they struck each other's view 5
For at first sight they lov'd, and sought the cause?
To ease their passion by just Nature's laws.
The hours, the days, the weeks, all eheerfut flew,
Till fair PhylUra far less slender grew *
Bet
£ 38 1
Her teeming womb her fruitfulness confessed,
Palemon's joy could hardly be exprest ■...............-
A son, be cried, great Hercules ! like thee s
A girl, Phyllira cried, a girl for me j
A snowy pillar to delight my eyes,
And make my pains inferior to my joys.
Venus, to thee I send my strong request,
Attend my prayer, and make a parent blest j
Grace her with beauty equal to thy own,
And grant she may enjoy thy magic zone ;■
That girdle bind about her infant waist,
Which makes her lovely, and which keeps her chaste s
Then to your altars constantly I'll bow,
And lift my hands, and pay the promised vow.
The queen of beauty granted her request*—
A daughter came, with ev'ry charm confest \ .
Her infant smiles gave exquisite delight j
The rose was mingled with the lily white
O'er all her limbs, but chiefly in her face,
Where Nature's pencil lavish'd ev'ry graee f
Her lively eyes bespoke her future sense,
And much her doting parents hop'd from thence j
Perfection seem*d in her to be alone,
And so well guarded by the magic zone.
Stellina now (for so they call'd the maid)
The blooming charms of innocence display'd;
Her prattle'pleases every one alike,
Her little actions each beholder strike;
She roams about the cot, and on the lawn,
Plays with a lambkin or some tender fawn..
But
[ 39 ]
But as her age increas'd, so did her mind,
Just as her happy mother wish'd to find.
To aid her growing reason, now they thought,
A plan of education should be sought,
Such as might suit with beauty, and with grace,
And make her mind and person both take place;
For beauty, join'd with folly, is a jest,
And gains our wonder with contempt at best.
They taught her first in reading to excel!,
But seldom practised by each modern belle.
Who such old-fashion'd education slight;
What need a lady learn to read and write ?
In music next her mind they did improve,
The science fit for beauty and for love;
She rivaPd all the little feathered choir,
And made the hapless Philomel retire
To deeper shades, where only Echo dwells,
And hides herself in rocks and mossy cells.
The graceful dance with care she studied too,.
To charm beholders when she came in view i
An easy carriage, with good manners join'd,
Is sure to gain on ev'ry candid mind.
Thus perfected in all the arts to please,
Taste, sentiment and beauty, grace and ease*
Perhaps some female critic here may cry,
You Ve giren a fine description, let me die——-
But, dear Sir, answer candidly, I pray,
What does your fine Stellina know of play?
Routs, drums, ridottos, concerts, musquerades ?
She did not even know the ace of spades,
0 mon-
[ 40 1
O monstrous Ignorance beyond compare j
Pray in what style, Sir, did she dress her hair ?
Had she no orris-powder, or perfume ?
A French friseur she must have, I presume.
'Faith, no; kind Nature cm I'd her auburn hair,
Which flow'd in ringlets o'er her shoulders bare?
And, with a charming grace, was seen to deck
The iv'ry whiteness of her well-tum'd neck.
Then for her dress; had she Italian stays,
Or the bell-hoop, so charming nowra-days ;
The drawn-up gown, white flounce and furbelow ^
The white silk stocking, red Morocco shoe j
Short petticoats, the ancle to display,
That men may think of what's another way;
The fine broad tucker round the swelling breast^
The fashion is to show a full round chest ?
And then for ornament, a miniature,
Which has a double meaning to be sure?
Pins with large heads, in length about a foot^
With some complete device genteelly put ?
O, darling fashion 1 what can equal be.
Or in the world's comparable to thee ?
Goddess of whims and fancies, thou art sure-
Pride of the rich, and envy.of the poor.
Such fashions never struck Stellina's view,,
To Nature and her dictates strictly true. .
A thin-spun robe her graceful person wore,
Which showM each limb, and made each beauty more,*.
The Cyprian girdle circled round her waist.
And form'd in pleasing folds her flowing vest?.
§ " ' ' Which,
i 4i ]
Which, when she walk'd or danc'd, at once displayed
The whole delighting beauty of the maid.
Now sixteen years the nymph had pass'd away^
Still inoffensive, innocent, and gay;
Guarded from folly by the zone she wore,
Though many youths the virgin did adore |
The darts of love unheeded flew around,
Pointless to her, they fell upon the ground?.
She laugh'd at ev'ry fond and sighing swain,
And thought it nonsense when he talk'd of pain„
Venus provok'd that charms, by her designed,
Should grace a person with so harsh a mind,
Repented she the mystic girdle gave,
And vow'd that she would make her soon her slave,
Philander proper, vigorous, and young,
Had woo'd in vain the bright Stellina long;
Yet all his hopes her cruelty had erost.
His passion slighted, though he lov'd her most,
Oft in the grove he met the charming fair.
She fled, the moment that the youth came near§
Swift as the roe she darted from his view.
And vain was each endeavour to pursue;
In vain was all the language made to move j.
No words were made to soften her to love i
Sweet liberty, she cried, is all to me,.
The only happiness is to be free.
The blind boy, Cupid, with his store of darts,.
With which he wounds the loose unguarded hearts,
Can never touch me while this girth I wear;
Then what have I from him, or Love, to fear ?
Get
[ 42 ]
Get but this Girdle from my slender waist,
Then may you win, and may I be unchaste!
But that, by prudence guarded, ne'er can be|
So all may love, and none be lotfd by me.
The boast was vain j for Venus, on a day,
When wild with youth, and fall of wanton plays
Stellina, tir'd and faint, the green turf press'd.
Sunk into sleep, and inoffensive rest ;—•
Now, cried the goddess, now, Philander, fly!
The time for genial happiness draws nigh j
Haste to the grove, undo the fatal zone,
And make Stellina's beauties all your own*
The tender impulse wing'd the lover's haste,
Bach hill and dale was in an instant past,
And soon he gain'd the wish'd-for happy grove.
Directed by the mighty queen of love :
Softly approaeh'd the fair, the buckle found,
And soon the icy girdle was unbound %
Nor yet awak*d the fair-one from her trance,
Till he did further to her charms advance |
Her airy robe he quickly threw aside,
And view*d the nymph in all her naked pride §
Her ev'ry charm enhanced his glowing bliss,
He knelt, and gave' the fount of joy a kiss i
The mossy spot gave exquisite delight,
And, while it warm*d the fancy, pleas'd the sight §
But greater pleasure still remain'd behind,
Which were by Venus* aid for him design d«
No longer hesitation was his foe;
Nature was strong, and told him what to do f
Gently
[ 43 ]
Gently he drew her naked limbs aside,—
Where now, alas! Stellina, is your pride ?
Your boasted guard is gone, the charm is o'er$
Philander conquers, and shall sue no more.
She felt the tickling rapture at her heart,
And hugg'd the youth, nor wish'd again to part |
Returned each kiss, and ev'ry pleasing move
Which now he practised in the art of love.
Full wak'd with ecstasy before unknown,
She smil'd and kiss'd—and banish'd ev'ry frown j
And when the youth lay panting by her side,
To raise him up to joy, again she tried 5
Her warm soft hand a genial glow imparts,
And crowns alike the wishes of their hearts.
Repeated transports crown'd the happy day,
And secret night renew'd the pleasing play,
StelUna now we find no longer coy,
But eagerly takes in the luscious joy:
Her chief delight to no one now confined,
She grants her favours free as light, or wind;
Defies all modesty, and ev'ry way
That art can think of in the arn'rous play
She tries,—Worsley or Newton can't with her compar«s
\ So cheaply now she holds her C****** ware.
Her rare accomplishments, so highly pris'd.
Are ail neglected, or perhaps despis'd ;
Lascivious, wanton, in a high degree,
In bagnioa, and in brothels, who but she;
Her nature, temper, and her rural cot?
Her tender parents, all alike forgot;
No
[ & ]
No more the rose's blush o'erspreads her face j -
Lost is her charming form, and ev'ry grace;
Usurping lust has tainted all her mind,
And not one trace of reason now we find !
Ye blooming beauties of the present day,
Who may be innocent, although you 're gay,..
Pause on this tale j attend to honest Love,.
Lest you the fate of lost Stellina prove..
If you are cruel, man will use each art>.
If not to win, to storm th* unguarded heart.
Let lustful pass-ions ne'er your bosom sway,
But banish vice and all her train away :
So shall your age be happy as your youth,
Kenown'd alike for beauty, love, and truth;
But if to looser thoughts your hearts incline*.
Sorrow, and shame^ and woe, must sure be thine I
DICK AND DOLL.
ASONG. B Y 6* A. S T E V E N ,S.
Tune;—~Pm like a skiff on the ocean ioss'd,,
A,S one bright summer's sultry day,
For sake of shade I sought the grove,
Through thickset-hedge on top of hay,
I met with mutual love:
A youth with one arm round his pretty girl's waists
On small swelling breasts he his other hand plae'd5
While she cried, " Dick? be still,
" Pray, tell me what's your, will .?"
a I come- 1
[ .45 ]
I **' I come (quoth Dick) to have some chat/*
And close to her's his iips he squeezed:
" I guess (cries Doll) what you'd be at,
" But now I wou't be teaz'd,"
She strove to rise up, but his strength held her down,,
^She call'd out for help! and petition'd the clown,
" O Dick ! dear Dick! let me rise,
(( The sun puts out my eyes.
\ "Til tear your soul out!—Lord! these men,
"*' If ever—~~well—I won't submit—
« Why ? what ? the devil!—Curse me then j—
I « You'll fling me in a fit."
Down, like a bent lily, her head dropp'd aslant,
Her eyes lost the day-light, her breath became scant §
(And, feebly, on her tongue
Expiring accents hung.
The chorus birds sung o'er their heads,
The breeze blew rustling thro' the grove,
Sweet smelt the: hay on new-mown meads,
All seem'd the scene of love.
'Dickoifer'd to lift up the lass as she lay,
A look full of tenderness told him to stay §
" So soon, Dick, will you go ?
igl wish'-------dear me!—heigh-ho ?'
Vibrating with heart-heaving sighs,
Her tucker trembling to and fro',
Her erimson cheeks, her glist'ning eyes,
Proclaim'*! possession's glow*
Dick
t 46 ]
Dick bid her farewell; but she languishing cried,
As wanton she play'd by her fall'n shepherd's side j
" A moment! pray, sit still,
f( Since now you 've had your will.
f< Lord I" cries the girl, " you hasty men,
" Of love afford but one poor proof;
" Our fowls at home, each sparrow-hen,
" Is ten times better off—-
f* No'. that you shou'd not, had I known your design,
" But, since you 've had your will, pray let me have
mine;
" So, once more, ere we rise,
" Do, dear Dick, save my eyes."
EPIGRAM.
FROM THE GREEK.
TpHILLIS the gay, in robe of beauty drest,
Late on ray lips a humid kiss impress'd;
The kiss was nectar which the fair bestow'd,
For in her am'rous breath a gale of nectar flowM
What love, ye gods! what raptures in her kiss I
My soul was drank with ecstasy of bliss.
EPIGRAM.
[ 47 ]
EPIGRAM,
FROM MARULLUS. BY THE EARL OF S——«
A KISS from chaste Nesera's lips I stole.
But on those lips, in kissing, left my soul;
Incautious youth!—long time the loss I mourn'd.
And waited long, my soul still ne'er retum'd!
At length, exanimate with slow delay,
I sent my heart to seek my soul astray;
But my poor heart, by beauty's pow'r enchain'd,
With my lost soul, and with the nymph remain'd*
Then, Oh I unless, to foster this sad frame*
I from Nesera's lips draw vital flame j
That day I kiss'd thee, must for ever prove
Wretched to me, the greatest wretch in love!
EPIGRAM.
WHEN Carlos 'tempted to be free,
Flavilla cried, f* My chastity !—
|tl Know all but virgins are my foes.'*
She said no more—off dropp'd her nose.
EPIGRAM.
T\ID ladies now (as we are told
Our great grand-mother did of old)
Wake
[ 48 ]
Wake to a sense of blasted fame,
The fig-tree spoil to bide their shame.
So num'rous are those modern Eves,
A forest scarce could find them leaves*
1 EPIGRAM.
GCARCE had five months expir'd since Ralph did wedj
When lo! his fruitful wife was brought to bed.
How now, quoth Ralph—this is too soon, my Kate ?
No, Ralph, said she-—you marry'd me too late*
LEFT UPON A YOUNG LADY'S TOILET.
BY B. B. S-------—-N, ESQ.
C OFT god of sleep, when next you steal
To charming Caeliafs eyes,
To the dear maid in dreams* reveal,
Who 'tis that for her dies.
But should the fair-one be displeas'd
At the unwelcome theme,
Fly her, and let my heart be eas*d
By finding it &.dream,
TO
[ *9 ]
TO A YOUNG LADY WITH A PAIR OF
. GLOVES, ON VALENTINE'S DAY.
SAID TO BE BY DK. B-------Y.
"DRIMFUL of anger—not of love,
The champion sends his foe a glove;
But I, that have a double share
Of the softer passion—send a pair;
Nor think it, dearest Delia, cruel
That I invite you to a duel.
Ready to meet you face to face,
At any time, in any place;
Nor shall I leave you In the lurch,
Though you should dare to fix the church \
There come equipp'd with all your charms,
A ring and licence are my arms 5
I will th' unequal contest try,
Resolv'd to fight, though sure to die*
TO A LADY PLAYING AT QUADRILLE.
BY MR. T™—LL.
npHREE goddesses of old, on Ida's hill,
Sat with young Paris, playing at quadrille;
The shepherd held the hand, but whom to call,
That was the doubt; contention's fatal ball!
I) Diamonds"
[ 50 ]
Diamonds' proud monarch Juno wav'd on high,
Emblem of wealth, and pow'r, and majesty;
But Pallas, hoping to inspire the youth
With love of virtue, and a zeal for truth,
Show'd him the majesty of spades, thereby
Inviting him to toil and industry;
Whilst Venus, practising her usual arts,
Glanc'd at him, thrice, the majesty of hearts.
But oh! if you, Belinda, had been there,
Adorn'd with such a face, with such an air!—-
So much good sense, with so much beauty join'd,
So fair a face, enrich'd with such a mind,
Would soon have fiYd his choice; in you we see
AU the perfections of each deity :
There are no charms but what your presence brings,
And, play who will, yet you hold all the kings!
■ ■
THE EPITHALAMIUM.
FROM SECUNDUS.
TTAIL, genial hour!
In myrtle bow'r
Of young-ey'd Pleasure born ;
Whom wanton wiles,
And jests, and smiles,
And roseate sports adorn.
Sweet
[ o\ j
Sweet hour, all hail!
With envy pale,
Which Jove himself-might sees
And own at least
His nectar'd feast
Equal'd, sweet hour! by thee.
No happier hour.
The Gnydian pow'r
Could on blest man bestow;
Nor he, who reigns
O'er farthest plains,
God of the fatal bowj
Young Cupid! wild
As any child,
Who shakes his purple wings;
And some rich joy,
Delicious boy!
On ev'ry sorrow flings:
Nor thou, great queen,
Unrival'd seen,
With wond'rous grace to move;
At love's high feast3 , j
A bidden guest* ■- •...
Sister and wife of Jove.
Nor Hymen, thou,
Upon the brow
Of tuneful mountain born %
- D2 Who '
[ S2 ]
Who dwell'st in bow*rs
Of am'rous flow'rs;
And, from her mother torn,
Lead'st, much afraid.
Much pleas'd, the maid,
(Midst doubts, and hopes, and sighs,)
To the dear youth,
Who full of truth
In wild expectance lies.
O hour of bliss!
To equal this
Olympus strives in vain ,
O happy pair I
O happy fair!
O happy, happy swain I
Hail, wedded boy!
Whose only joy
Soon in thy arms shall rest j
And face to face,
In fond embrace,
Sink gently on thy breast.
She I who all day
An infant lay
Prattling at beauty*s feet |
Who kiss'd the child j
And, as it smii'd,
Breath'd o*er it ev'ry sweet j
Breath'd
£ 53 ]
Breath'd charms so bright,
That at the sight
Venus shrunk back with awe|
And from her skies,
With envious eyes,
Indignant Juno saw
A nobler mien $
E'en Wisdom's Queen,
With female anger glow'd;
And ask'd what chance,
At each proud glance,
Such matchless gifts bestow'd ?
Should they all three.
Once more agree
To visit Ida's shade •
And should again
The shepherd swain
Be of the contest made
Sole judge; no more
To Faphos' bow'r
Would laughing Venus bear
The prize awayi
No longer say,
" Vm fairest of the fair Is*
But with one choice,
With one loud voice,
Hers would the Apple be,
In features, sense,
And elegance,
Who most resembled thee,
O hour
L 54, j
O hour of bliss!
To equal this
Olympus strives in vain;
O happy pair!
O happy fair!
O happy? happy swam!
Hail, happy bride5
Thy husband's prides
Who soon in eager fold,
The conscious bed
With blushes red,
Thy virgin neck shall hold.
Long hath the fire
Of slow desire
His early prime consum'd j
Marking, as blows
The op'ning rose,
How the young beauties bloom'dj
Thy breasts of snow,.
Thy lips that glow
In health divinely warm ;
And thy bright hair.
With artless care,
Whose wanton ringlets charm*
" Ne'er will the sun
i( His circuit run B"
Impatient of delay?
He sighing cries,
" O moon arise I
** 0 come, O come away t
€( Comet
C 55 ]
*' Come, mildly bright,
a Pure orb of light!
" To thee such scenes belong 5
*•' Come, ev'ry star!
" And from afar
iS Begin the bridal song.*9
O hour of bliss!
To equal this
Olympus strives in vain |
O happy pairf
O happy fair I
0 happy, happy swain!
Cease, cease thy fears,
Thy vows, thy tears,
0, fervent bridegroom 1 cease;
Soon shall thy heart,
No more to part,
Eesume its long-lost peace;
Soon from her throne
Of cygnet's down,
With many a chaplet gay,
Love's constant friend I
Shall Venus bend,
And chide the ling'ring day.
She chides;——and see,
The burning sea
Its radiant god receives j
Faintly he gleams,
And his shorn beams
In blushing billows laves,
See,
L 56 ]
See, in her band
An ebon wand,
How his lov'd sister glides
Her silver car,
Sweet wanderer!
Climbing heavVs crystal sides.
Mark, too, that, star,
To virgins dear,
Hesper! with glittering heads
Who loves his train,
O'er the blue plain^
lo golden ranks to lead.
O hour of bliss!
To equal this
Olympus strives in vain j
O happy pair!
O happy fair!
0 happy, happy swain !
Now shall the maid
At length be laid,
0 rich, unspotted prize!
Now youth beware*.
Be yours the care*
That she no maid arise*
Now plac'd in beds
With unfeigned red
Her beauteous face shall glow^
Nor shall she fear
Thy tread to hear,
And hope, and wish it now„
Perhaps
[ 57 ]
Perhaps a tear,
As crystal clear,
In trickling haste may Howj
Perhaps with sighs
Your heart she tries,
Or, murm'ring vents her woe.
But mind not thou
The tears that flow,
Mind not the piteous sigh ,
Soft-soothing speak,
And her wet cheek
Wipe with thy kisses dry*
O hour of bliss !
To equal this
Olympus strives in vain;
O happy pair I
O happy fair!
0 happy, happy swain!
Thus when supine.
With limbs divine
She prints the nuptial bed j
And, like a flower
With hasty show'r
Overcome, her virgin head
Hangs down in shame j
When o'er her frame
Soft languors gently creep,
And the clos'd eye.,
Unknowing why,
Attempts in vain to sleep;
D 5 When
[ * 3
When at the side
Of thy dear bride
Thou liest, Dione's care j
Happier in love
Than am'rous Jove,
Than monarchs happier far!
Then in full tides,
Whilst vigour glides
Trembling through ev'ry veins
Begin the fight
Of fierce delight,
Of pleasure mixt with pain.
Then let the kiss
Of human bliss
O'er her sweet body fly;
0*er her warm cheek?
Her eyes, her neckj,
And lips of luscious dye.
Oft shall she cry,
" O cruel! fy !"
Oftj weeping, say,iS Forbear;*'
Oft shall her hand
Your lips withstand I
Oft meet you, you know where*
O night of bliss !
To equal this
Olympus strives in vain j
O happy pair!
O happy fair 1
0 happy, happy swain!
Much '
[ te 1
Much, in defence
Of innocence,
Of virtue's nicest laws,
Will the dear maid
Affrighted plead,
And urge a moment's pause.
In vain she strives;
Enjoyment lives
On such endear'd delays;
And the wild fire
Of fierce desire,
Oppos'd, the wilder plays.
Hence, proud in arms,
O'er her rich charms,
With nimblest strength you move j
Hence, bolder grown,
To the great throne
Of love, insatiate rove.
What vast excess
Of happiness j
In show'rs of kisses veil'd,
When her soft cries
In softer sighs
You drown, and win the field!
O night of bliss I
To equal this
Olympus strives in vain j
O happy pair!
O happy fair!
O happy, happy swain !
Not
[ 60 ]
Not but he'll speak
In accents meek.
Pleading his tale of love;
Soft! as when plays
The silken breeze,
That wakes the whisp'ring grove:
Soft! as when coos
The dove that woos
His mate in vernal bow'rs ;
Or, with sweet throat,,
When her last note
The swan expiring pours.
Till vanquished quite
In the fond fight,
O'ercome by Cupid's dart,
She lends her ear,
In blushing fear,
And yields her virgin heart:
Till, that she lies
All bare, and cries,
" Sweet lovely murd'rer, come 1"
Expands her arms,
Unfolds her charms.
And panting waits her doom.
O night of bliss 1
To equal this
Olympus strives in vain §
O happy pair!
O happy fair!
0 happy, happy swain !
'..... • Then j
C « j
Then shall thy lip,
Delighted sip
The dew of nectar'd bliss %
Then shall thy soul,
Without control,
Enjoy the ling'ring kiss.
Then thy rich smiles,
And wanton wiles,
As wanton she'll return 5
With raptures sweet,
Thy raptures meet j
And, as thou burnest, burn*
Then close to thine,
Her mouth shall join,
Sucking voluptuous breath j
Till, in one sigh
Of ecstasy,
Both touch the verge of death:
Till that, more gay,
In am'rpus play,
The genial couch she shakes;
Warm, livelier sports
Inventive courts^
And what she wishes speaks,
O night of bliss !
To equal.this
Olympus strives in vain j
O happy pair!
O happy fair!
0 happy, happy swain !
Then,
c m ]
Then, then, " To arms!"
The queen of charms;
" To arms !" young Cupid cries:
They hear, they fly j
Resolv'd to die,
Or win the glorious prize!
They pant, they bleed;
Who shall succeed,
Who best the contest wage;
Now their sole care,
Love's nimble spear,
Provoking mutual rage.
That wond'rous spear,
Great god of war !
Which not thy sister guides |
But one more dear,
Thy mistress fair I
Who at these sports presides;
Who, in such fights
Well-pleas'd, delights
The last, great thrust to spyi
Who loves to see
Coy chastity
A bleeding victim lie.
Marks with what heat
They struggling meet!
How ev'ry limb *s employ'd j
Till at the last,
Consuming fast.
Enjoying, and enjoy'd^
xThey
[ 83 1
They gasp for breath;
A moment's death
Tli' enervate body knows;
While, on each side,
Love's various tide
In streams of pleasure flows.
O night of bliss!
To equal this
Olympus strives in vain.j
O happy pair S
O happy fair I
0 happy, happy swain !
Rest, take your ease;
May sports like these,
With many a conscious moon,
Be oft renewed;
As oft he vievv'd
By many a blushing sun !
And, O blest pair 1
May offspring dear
Soon crown your fond embrace;
Soon may they rise,
To glad your eyes,
A long and beauteous race!
Whose converse gay
Will chase away
Each heart-consuming care;
Whose infant smile
Those pains beguile,
Those pains you Ve doom'd to bear !
And
C 64 j
And when old age
Life's whitest page
Shall from your sight remove ;
Who on your bier
Will drop a tear,
The tear of filial love I
Rest, take your ease,
For sports like these
New strength, new vigour gain !
Rest, happy pair!
Rest, happy fair I
Rest, happy, happy swain I
ANACREON TO HIS MISTRESS,
BY DR. BROOME,
^HE gods o'er mortals prove their sway,
And steal them from themselves away.
Transformed by their almighty hands,
Sad Niobe an image stands;
And Philomel upborne on wings,
Through air her mournful story sings.
Would heaven, indulgent to my vow,
The happy change I wish, allow j
The envied mirror I would be,
That thou mightst always gaze on me;
And, could my naked heart appear,
Thoud'st see thyself«-for thou art there!
Or
[ 65 ]
Or were I made thy folding vest,
That thou mightst clasp me to thy breast 1
Or, turn'd into a fount, to lave
Thy naked beauties in my wave !
Thy bosom-cincture I would grow,
To warm those little hills of snow :
Thy ointment, in rich fragrant streams,
To wander o'er thy beauteous limbs;
Thy chain of shining pearl, to deck,
And close embrace thy graceful neck j
A very sandal I would be
To tread on—if trod on by thee.
ON A DISK, REPRESENTING VENUS.
FROM ANACREON. BY THE HON. MR. G---------E.
"DARE artist, whose inventive skill
Could this orb with wonders fill!
Where the mimic ocean glides
Soft, with well-dissembled tides;
The waves seem floating, and above
Shines the beauteous queen of love :
The workman's fancy mounted high,
And stole th' idea from the sky.
Transporting sight!—the waves conceal
But what 'twere impious to reveal!
She, like some flow'r all-blossom'd gay,
Shines along the smiling way:
The amorous waters, as she swims,
Crowd to embrace her snowy limbs j
Then*
'J 60 ]
Then, proudly swelling to be presJy
Beneath her snowy fragrant breast,
Ambitiously up-rise on high,
And lift the goddess to the sky j
And, while her lucid limbs they lave.
She brightens the transparent wave;
So violets enlightened glow,
Surrounded by the lily's snow
But see! a lovely smiling train,
Conspicuous o'er the. limpid main,
The queen attends ! in triumph moves
Gay Cupid with his laughing Loves.
On dolphins borne, in state they ride,
And beautify the silver tide^
Dancing around, in shoals they play.
And humble adoration pay.
Rare art, that life to phantoms gives 1
See ! see ! a second Venus lives.
ON A LADY'S WEDDING BEING ON THE
TWENTY-FIRST OF DECEMBER.
BY C--------- F—.
|>ETURN'D from the Op'ra,, as lately I sat,
Indiff'rently chatting of this thing and that;
My Chloe I ask'cLfhow it enter'd her head,
To fix on St. Thomas', of all days, to wed ?
To which she replied, with reason the strongest,
■" Tho' shortest the day is^—the night, Sir, is longest,"
' J2PIGRAMJJ
[ 67 ]
EPIGRAM.
WHEN wedded Nell was brought to-bed,
She scream'd and roar'd with pain 5
She'd rather die a maid, she said,
Was it to do again.
Pray have a little patience, Nell,
And say, why now this pother ?
Before your marriage you could tell
What 'twas to be a mother.
SONG.
BY C------------L T«------—.
"llfHEN Fanny, blooming fair,
First caught my ravish'd sight |
Struck with her shape and air,
I felt a strange delight:
J Whilst eagerly I gaz'd,
Admiring ev'ry part,
And ev'ry feature prais'd,
(She stole into my heart.
In her bewitching eyes,
Ten thousand loves appear j
There Cupid basking lies,
His shafts are hoarded there.
, . Her
C 68 5
Her blooming cheeks are d/d
With colour all their own,
Excelling far the pride
Of roses newly blown.
Her well-turnM limbs confess
The lucky hand of Jove ;■
Her features all express
The beauteous queen of love!
When flames my nerves invadej
When I behold the breast
Of that too charming maid
Rise, suing to be prestl
Venus round Fanny's waist
Has her own cestus bound,
With guardian Cupids grae'd,
Who dance the circle round.
How happy must he be,
Who shall her zone unloose !
That bliss to all, but me?
May heav'n and she refuse,
SONG.
BY THE SAME.
^HENEVER, Chloe, I begin,
Your heart, like mine, to move.
You tell me of the crying sin
Of unchaste lawless love.
How
[ 69 j
How can that passion be a sin,
Which gave to Chloe birth ?
How can those joys but be divine,
Which makes a heav'n on earth ?
To wed, mankind the priests trapann'd
By some sly fallacy,
And disobey'd God's great command,
" Increase and multiply !"
You say that love *s a crime; content j
Yet this allow you must,
More joys in heav'n, if one repent,
Than over ninety just.
Sin, then, dear girl, for heaven's sake^
Repent, and be forgiv'n;
Bless me, and by repentance make
A holy-clay in heav*nB
ON A FAN.
BY L—~D J. T—~ *
, In which the story ofCephalus and Procris was ^ai?ited$
with the motion u Aere venh'*
I POME, gentle air, the iEolian shepherd said,
While Procris panted in the secret shade.
[Come, gentle air, the fairer Delia cries,
While at her feet her swain expiring lies,
hoi
[ TO ]
Lo ! the glad gales o'er all her beauties stray,
Breathe on her lips,, and in her bosom play i
In Delia's hand this toy is fatal found,
Nor could that fabled dart more surely wound*
Both gifts destructive to the giver prove;
Alike both lovers fall, by those they love.
Yet guiltless too this bright destroyer lives;
At random wounds, nor knows the wounds she gives:
She views the story with attentive eyes,
And pities Procris, while her lover dies.
BY LORD LITTLETON,
C AY, Myra, why is gentle love
A stranger to that mind.
Which pity and esteem can move^
Which can be just and kind ?
Is it because you fear to share ,
The ills that love molest 1
The jealous doubt, the tender eare^
That rack the am'rous breast ?
Alas! by some degree of woe,
We ev'ry bliss must gaini
The heart can ne'er a transport know,
, That never feels a pain,
KISSING
[ « ]
KISSING. A SONG,
EY G. A. STEVENS.
Tune ;—In pursuit of some lambs from myjiocks that
had stray'd.
V"E delicate lovelies, with leave, I maintain,
That happiness here you may find:
To yourselves I appeal for felicity's reign,
When you meet with a man to your mind.
When gratitude friendship to fondness unites,,
Inexpressive endearments arise j
Then hopes, fears, and fancies, strange doubts and
(delights,
Are announced by those tell-tales the eyes.
Those technical terms, in the science of love,
Cold schoolmen attempt to describe;
But how should they paint what they never can provej
For tenderness knows not their tribe.
Of all the abuse on enjoyment that *s thrown,
The treatment love takes most amiss,
Is the rant of the coxcomb, the sot, and the clow%
Who pretend to indulge on a kiss.
? The love of a fribble at self only aims :
For sots and clowns—class them with beasts;
No fibre, no atom, have they in their frames,
To relish such delicate feasts.
la
[ 72 ]
In circling embraces, when lips to lips move5
Description, oh ! teach me to praise,
The Overture Kiss to th* Op'ra of Love-—■
But beauty would laugh at the phrase.
Love's preludes are kisses, and, after the play.
They fill up the pause of delight:
The rich repetitions, which never decay,
The lips' silent language at night.
The raptures of kissing we only can taste,
When smypathies equal inspire ;
And while to enjoyment, unbounded, we haste5
Their breath blows the coals of desire.
Again, and again, and again beauty sips;
With feelings these pressures excite !
When fleeting life 's stopp'd by a kiss of the lips,
Then sinks in a sigh of delight.
LAMENTABLE CASE.
Submitted to the Bath Physicians.
BY SIR C. H. WILLIAMS.
"V"-^ fam'd physicians of this place,
Hear Strephon's and poor Chloe's case,
Nor think that. I am joking ;
When she would, he can sot comply,
When he would drink, she *s not a-dryi
And is no't this provoking ?
At
[ n ]
At night when Strephon comes to rest,
Chloe receives him on her breast,
With fondly-folding arms;
Down, down he hangs his drooping !iead#
Falls fast asleep, and lies as dead,
Neglecting all her charms.
Reviving when the morn returns,
With rising flames young Strephon burns*
And fain wou'd he be doing j
But Chloe, now asleep, or sick,
Has no great relish for the trick,
And sadly baulks his wooing.
0 cruel and disastrous ease,
When in the critical embrace,
That only one is burning !
Dear doctors, set this matter right,
Give Strephon spirits over night,
Or Chloe in the morning.
TO LYDIA.
BY THE D—E OF D-----—-.
LOVELY Lydia! lovely maid!
Either rose in thee 's display*d j
Roses of a blushing red,
O'er thy lips and cheeks are shed:
Roses of a balmy hue
In thy fairer charms we view.
E . '• Now
[ N ]
!$o\v thy braided hair unbind ;
Now luxuriant, uncoiifin5d}
Let thy wavy tresses flow;
Tresses bright, of burnish'd glow!
Bare thy iv'ry neck, my fair!
Wow thy snowy shoulders bare %
Bid the vivid lustre rise
In thy passion-streaming eyes \
See, the lucent meteors gleam!
See, they speak the wishful flame!
And how gracefully ^bove,
Modell'd from the bow of love,
Are thy arching brows displayed,
Soft'ning in a sable shade I
Let a warmer crimson streak
The velvet of thy downy cheek j
Let thy lips that breathe perfume,
Deeper purple now assume j
Give me little billing kisses,
Intermixt with murmuring blisses.
Soft, my love!—-my angel, stay I—
Soft 1—you suck my breath away;
Drink the life-drops of my hearty
Draw my soul from ev'ry part:
Scarce my senses can sustain
So much pleasure, so much pain!
Hide thy broad voluptuous breast!
Hide that balmy heav'n of rest!
See, to feast tlr* enamour d eyes^
How the snowy hillocks rise!
Parted
[ n 3
Parted by tlie luscious vale,
Whence luxurious sweets exhale;
Nature fram'd thee hut t* inspire
Never-ending fond desire!
Again, above its envious vest,
See, thy bosom heaves confest!
Hide the rapt'rous dear delight !
Hide it from my ravish'd sight!
Hide it!—for through all my soul,
Tides of madd'ning transport roll:
Venting now th" impassion'd sigh,
See me languish, see me die !
Tear not from me then thy charms !
Snatch, oh ! snatch me to thy arms I
With a life-inspiring kiss,
Wake my sinking soul to bliss !
ON LESBIA.
BY L—-D S——----h
WHEN beauteous Lesbia. fires my melting soul,
(She who the torch and how from Cupid stole)
By many a smile, by many an ardent kiss;
And with her teeth imprints the tell-tale bliss ;
Through all my frame the madding transport glows,
Through ev'ry vein the'tide of rapture flows.
As many stars as o'er heav'n's concave shine,
Or clusters as adorn the fruitful vise $
E2 S»
[ 76 ]
So many blandishments, voluptuous joys,
T* enfiame my breast, the wily maid employs.
But, dearest Lesbia! gentle mistress I say,
Why thus d *ye wound my lips in am'rous play ?
With kisses, smiles, and ev'ry wanton art,
Why raise the burning fever of my heart ?
Let us, my love I on jon soft couch reclin'd,
Each other's arms around each other twin'd,
Yield to the pleasing force of strong desire;
And, panting, struggling, both at once expire S
For, oh! my Lesbia! sure that death is sweet,
Which lovers in the fond contention meet!
THE PASTIME OF VENUS,
FROM BONEFONIUS.
INTENT to frame some new design of bliss!
The wanton Cyprian Queen composed a kiss:
An ample portion of*ambrosial juice,
With mystic skill she tempered first for use;
This done, her infant work was well bedew'd
With choicest nectar'; and o'er all she strew'd
Part of that honey, which sly Cupid stole,
Much to his cost, and blended with the whole j
^Then, that soft scent which from the vi'let flows3
She mix'd with spoils of many a vernal rose j
Each gentle blandishment in love we find,
Each graceful winning gesture next she joinM j
[ 77 ]
And all those joys that in her zone abound,
Made up the kiss, and the rich labour crown'd ;
Consid'ring now what beauteous nymph might prove
Worthy the gift, and worthy of her love ;
She fix'd on Chloe, as her fav'rite maid ;
To whom the goddess, sweetly smiling, said,
" Take this, my fair! to perfect ev'ry grace,
I And on thy lips the fragrant blessing place."
CUPID STRAY'D.
VES, beauteous queen—thy son, they say,
Thy wanton son, is gone astray;-------—■
Nay, Venus, more 5------'tis said, from thee,
A kiss the sweet reward shall be
To any swain, who truly tells
Where 'tis thy little wand'rer dwells :
Then grieve no more, nor drop a tear;
For know, the little urchin *s here;
He, from the search of vulgar eye^
ConceaPd within my bosom ljes.
Now, goddess, as I 've told thee this,
Give me, oh give the promised kiss!
KISS OF BONEFONIUS.
pLASP'D, sweet*maid, in thy embrace,
While I view thy smiling face, $fa
C ^ j
And tlie sweets with rapture sip-,
Flowing from thy honied lip ;
Then I taste, in heav'nly state,
All that '$ happy, all that ss great:
But when you forsake my arms,
And displeasure clouds, your charms j
Sudden I, who prov'd so late
All that's happy, all that's great.
Prove the tortures of a ghost,
WandYmg on the Stygian coast.
DESIGN OF A KISS..,-
A H ! canst thou, cruel nymph! suppos« .
One kiss rewards thy anurous youth j
Enough rewards his tender woes ;
His long, long constancy, and truth ?
Think not thy promised kindness paid
By simple kissing j—for the kiss
Is but an earnest, beauteous maid 1
Of more substantial, future bliss ;
Sweet kisses only were designed,
Our warmer raptures to improve j
Kisses were meant soft vows to bind,
Were silent pledges meant of love.
THE
It Ml 1
THE POET'S TALE i-
OB, THE CAUTIOUS BRIDE.
BY R. B. »——r-, ESQ.
BRIBES, in all countries, have been reckoned,
For the first night, timid and coolish $
If they continue so the second,
They always have been reckon'd foolish.
The reason *s obvious and plain-
In many nice and ticklish cases,
There 's much to lose, and nought to gain,
By affectation and grimaces.
A bridegroom, on the second night,
Whipt off the bed-clothes in surprise.
Behold, my dear, said he, a sight
Enough to make your choler rise.
She turn'd away as red as scarlet j
Whilst he continued, Pray behold,
Lay hands on that outrageous varlet,
That looks so impudent and bold.
This is the fifteenth time in vain,
He hath been sent to jail and fettcrVI j
But there *s no prison can contain
A prison-breaker like Jack Shephard.
The bride turn'd round, and took her place j
After some studying and thinking—
Said she, recovering her face,'
Though modesty still kept her winking ;
[ 80 1
In vain the vagabond 's committed,,
And to hard work and labour sent,
If you, his keeper, are outwitted
By bis pretending to repent.
You treat him ruggedly and hard,
Whilst any insolence appears,
But you 're disarm'd, and off your guard,
The moment that he falls in tears.
Now you must know that I suspect
A fellow-feeling in such shape,
Or else you would not, through neglect,
Let him continually escape.
I'll lend no hand, unless you ?11 swear,
That you'll deliver him to me,
And suffer me to keep him there,
Till I consent to set him free.
EPISTLE
fKOM L—V W——Y, TO A FEMALE FRIEND.,
SINGLE, DESCRIPTIVE OF THE
NUPTIAL JOYS.
J liCY, to you this simple verse I send,
"..- My old companion, and my constant friend;
When school-day chat employed our youthful hours,
And fancy strew'd the path of life with flow'rs-,
Oft
r 8i }
Oft have we sat beneath the verdaut shade,,.
And talk'd of love while we our samplers made ,
Love in idea, for the real sweet
Our infant bosoms were too young to meet j
Yet, as time circled round his varied course,,
Our growing years discover'd soon its source;
That men to females gave the genial joy,
And women them that sweet which ne'er can cloy :
From wanton boys at first the cause we guess'd,
Whose naked parts, when bathing, were confessed; -
How, when we pass'd the pool where those were seen,
The fan has been before our eyes a screen j
While virgin-blushes crimson'd o'er the cheek,
Our bosoms heav'd for what we dar'd not speak 5
We look'd aside sometimes, and stole a peep
Of that which oft return'd in pleasing sleep;
' When sportive Morpheus brought unto our arms
I The youthful boy, in ail his glowing charms I
' How have we toss'd and tumbled in the bed,
Flung round our arms, nay, ev'ry limb was spread ; "
Till sportive nature, in her wanton schemes,
Wak'd us with joys—which prov'd, alas ! bat,dreams-
Advancing still to womanhood apace,
How have we long'd to run love's pleasing race !
Yet, check'd by fear, and dread of future shame.
Have us'd vile means our heated blood'to tame; ;
With lewd contrivances, al! senseless, dull,
You know, my Lucy, oft we've play'd the fool j v
And try'd to gain (oh 1 most deceiving plan)
That bliss of blisses only found in man,.
E 5 , Vir^iMSj
[ 82 ]
Virgins, you know, by custom 'tis decreed,
Must ne'er the bounds of modesty exceed j
Must shut their eyes and ears at nature's call.
And cold-form'd prudence still must govern all j
Nor dare Indulge the sweetly-pleasing flame,
For loss of chastity is loss of fame!
That vapour, which with men improves the bliss,
(For more they're valued, as the more they kiss);
No dread of swelling wombs from am'rous play,
No check from prudence, or from parents, they:
But, uncontroFd, may ramble all abroad,
Each bush and thicket beat to catch love's bird \
Ransack the nest, and wild as fancy roam,
Nov chiding fear, at their returning home.
Thanks to my stars, the day of trial's past.
And I have gain'd love's haven at the last j
Secure in Hymen's temple I am bound.
And all the joys of sweet fruition found j
Which no false delicacy shall now withhold,
But shall with glowing heart to you be told %
You, who still labour in a barren field,
Which no delight, and no increase can yield ;
You, who a maiden's name are forc'd to bear,
And, with that seeming honour, eVry care |
- For care is with virginity combined,
And both alike, you know, disturb the mind.
But not to keep you in suspense, my dear,
I '11 now describe what must delight your ear|
Tell all the rapture; all the joy that's mine;
(Oh, may an equal share be quickly thine!)
• From i
[ 83 1
From dull restraint that soon you may he free'd,
And taste the real joys of lore indeed.
My mother always wish'd to see me wed.,
And a good husband fill'd my father's head;
I with their wish still modestly complied,
Yet long'd devoutly till I was a bride.
A youthful Captain from Hibernians shore,
With ev'ry charm to please, at last came o'er;
Well recommended, of our table free,
Of all our guests—the Captain who but he j
Gay was his air, and sweetly he would woo,
He won my heart—I think my mother's too.
An honourable lover once profest ;
To me my father, kindly left the rest,
Not doubting but the lessons I'd Imbib'd,
(Which are to ev'ry girl alike described)
Would make my virtue hold his courtship out.
Nor yield before the time should come about,
When I, as law directs, my charms might yields
And let the Captain conquer in the field.
To win my heart I found was his intent,
For ev'ry night to balls and routs we went-;
The play, the op'ra, or the masquerade,
In ev'ry place where pleasure was display'd,
I and the Captain constantly were found,
True votaries in fashion's charming round;
At dear Vauxhall how oft we *ve pass'd the night,
And mix'd with mirth and music sweet delight \
Oft in the darkest grove have kiss'd and toy'd.
And felt of things true lovers can't avoid >
Ev'a .
[ « ]
Ev?n Prudence then ..had like to've lost her sway.
And wanton Cupid gain'd o'er her—the day j
But Fate preserv'd me for the happy hour,
To give me decently into his pow'r;
And the sweet rose-bud of my maidenhead
Be lost in form upon the marriage-bed.
For this what preparations were display'd,
Flounces and furbelows of rich brocade •
But afterwards the Captain let me know,
What he lik'd best was still the fur-below.
At length bright Phoebus usher'd in the morn,
By much the sweetest stare since I was born j
The bridal maids attended all in white,
It was, indeed, a most enchanting sight;
The bridemen too, most gaily did appear,
But none so charming as my only dear j
•Tall and erect, he handed me along,
The grace and envy of the gazing throng !
What wishes did engage the lasses then,
What were their thoughts,.dear Lucy, of the men ?
From roving eyes and downcast looks, no doubt,
. Your active fancy quickly will make out.
For me, I walk'd so modest and demure,
Some took me for an angel to be sure;
But could they trace the movements of my mind,
A very mortal they would surely find.
Before the priest and altar now I stand,
And, as the law directs, join hand in hand j
Sweet junction I which I rightly did divine,
In a few hours some other things would join.
■
[ 85 ]
The ceremony now was quickly read,
(Indeed I scarce remember what was said) :
Honour I heard, and something like obey,
Which I may know, perhaps, another ckyj
To love, and cherish, that was utter'd plain,
With all his strength, with all his might and main.
0 ! "love and cherish!" charming words are these,
To love and cherish every one must please,
And my dear Captain is so very kind,
He cherishes, and loves, just to my mind 1.
The wedding dinner and the supper past, .
The chiefest pleasure, Lucy, comes at last;
Disrob'd of all my finery of dress,
In virgin-smock the snowy sheets I press ;
Snowy at present—soon another shew
Their white shall stain, and leave a crimson hue!
The maids withdrawn, and far remov'd the light,
The Captain enters, well prepar'd for fight.j
Th' amroos fight, which shall in blood commence-,
A while to wound, yet soon enchant each sense*
Ye virgin Muses on Parnassus'-hill,
There, with yonr chastity, continue still j •'*
Nor aid I ask from you—hut, Venus, thee
1 ask to lend assistance unto me,
While I describe the'fierce encounter, where
1 lost my maidenhead, and virgin fearj
Thou who warm wishes to young bosoms send,
The youth's best guide, and tender miss's friend i/,
Goddess of joy, and never-tiring sport!
Thy aid, bright Venus! only now I court!
G\rc
L B6 ]
Give thy assistance, bid the picture glow
With all the charms thy colouring can bestow.
Trembling, and panting, for the wishM embrace,
The fiery lover soon assumes his place ;
The fount of love awhile he seeks in vain,,
I grasp my shift his fury to restrain ;
His fury from restraint more ardent grows,
And from the bed the coverlid he throws j
With one rude rent my lily shift he tore^
And open laid what covered was before j
Then, with his finger first, he gropes about
To find the centre of all raptures out |
That once obtain'd, he plunges dreadful in
A thing, to name, would be a mortal sin»
At first, indeed, ii some resistance found,
J3ut soon was with a noble conquest crown'd ;
I smarted much, but straight a flood of joy
Did, ev'ry fear and ev'ry harm destroy.
Such home-felt thrusts, with vigour so pursu'd^
With, an-enchanting fren/.y seiz'd ray blood.;
.,A clammy dew o'er ev'ry limb was spread,
Willi murm'ring si^hs I turn'd aside my head;
Yet to his anient wishes did bestow,
From nature's fountain-, a capacious flow.
■ Believe me, Lucy, such the joys I shar'd,
None else, on earth, are possibly compared j
•No"wonder love in ev'ry age has been.
The idol, chief ador'd in.ev'ry scene;
Whether with shepherds on the rural plain,
Or in the court where kings and princes reign;
T» .
. t 87 ]
To all it does the sweetest joys dispense,
The only certain good of Providence !
The charming youth from sport could not re*
frain,
But soon he mounts the throne of joys again !
Again begins to run another course,
With equal charms., and with an equal force. j.
Plunges all manly his subduing dart,
Sinks me with joys that overflow my heart;
Till kind emission bids him rest once more,
And softer dalliance shall his strength restore*
Lock'd in each other's arms, awhile we lay,
And kiss and chat about the am'rous play :
O'er ev'ry part his ready fingers rove,
Now press my rising breasts, and then the fount of
love?
Till strong emotions bid those joys renew,
(Which soon, dear Lucy, must be known to you)
For sure a girl with such a glowing heart,
Must in love's sports ere 'long perform a part .
({ All night the dauntless hero kept his way/9
Nor did he slumber till the dawn of day ;
Then, in sweet dreams, we melted into bliss,
And gave, in sleep, to each the humid kiss.
But, lo ! m' officious mother opes the door,
And-wakes to breakfast at th' accustomed hour;
My husband rises, but recumbent I,
' (For rest was needful)—something longer lie.
At leng.h the maids repair to see me drest,
From their-sly looks their wanton thoughts I guess'd-! '
What. :
C 88 ]
What buzzing hosts of visitors appear,
With * How d' y' do ? I wish you joy, my dear !9
I wish'd their tongues would other themes employ,
For 'faith I could not tell them half my joy ;
The Captain kindly comes to my relief,
My only wish, of all my joys the chief!
From those impertinents who'd bliss delay,
We tip the wink, and slily steal away;
To a snug room we haste, make fast the door,
And play the game so lately play'd before j
There, on a couch, he feasts his roving eyes,
And views each secret charm with great surprise;
Kisses that spot from whence his pleasure flows !
And then a benediction large bestows*
Th* elastic tube, which gave me so much joy,
Does now the wonder of my eyes employe
Its ruby crest, bright rising to the sight,
Gave, to behold, most exquisite delight;
I strok'd the marble pillar with my hand,
And, as it grew, I found my bliss expand!
Till once again we tried the charming sport,
And the sweet Captain storm'd again love's fort!"
" Thus, ev'ry day, and ev*ry coming night,
For one whole month we pass*d in sweet delight!
To tell the times 1 as easy might we trace
The varied tribes that varied Flora grace ;
Not all the sweets of all her lovely flow'rs
Were nothing near so sweet as what was ours,
And yet remain;—-for though fond nature cools
Yet tender sentiments each bosom rules j
The
I 89 ]
The wish to please in ev'ry gentle art,
And in 'domestic business take a part;
To soothe each anxious care, if care intrude,
True to each other, as no doubt we should :
To join sometimes in folly's happy ring,
(For half life's pleasures do from folly spring)
Claims our attention and relieves the day
With something whimsical, or something gays
As fancy prompts, and love and joy inspires*
The fountain still of both of our desires !
A thousand pranks, a thousand times we 've try*d5
All happy, since that I became a bride j
A thousand more I hope again to try ;
If he proposes, I shall sure comply;
For ne'er in frolic will I be outdone,
But meet him kindly for a bit of fun !
Love, joy, and pleasures is my heart's desire,
I And while life lasts I think I ne'er can tire :
Fortune has scatter'd treasure in my way,
And health her roses, why not then be gay ?
Let the dull wretches dream o'er heaps of. wealth,
And, in the search of more, still waste their health;
To bounteous nature I my song will tune,
And make my whole life-long a Honey-Moon !
Roam o'er the vast delight's which charm the'soul;
Wild as the bee, and free from all control I
The ills of life my reason bids me shun,
And 'tis to share the sweets that thus I run)
And, let the prudent wires say all they can,
A woman's chiefest bliss must flow from man!
[ 90 ]
Ye dear enchanters of the female heart,
Still, still proceed, to act a manly part!
The British Fair, to manly hearts inclin'd,
Give all they have to such real worth, we find ;
*Tis nature prompts, what harm can be in this5
To give and take from each the balmy bliss I
When age comes on, and passion is no more.
Perforce we must the pleasing sport give o*er |
But those who won 't enjoy it while they can.
Deceive themselves, and run from nature's plan*
Thus, my dear Lucy, have I told the truth
Of all my pleasures since my wedded youth;
To you, who are to love's soft sport inclin'dj
No doubt a kind acceptance they will find.
Adieu! my dear, may love its influence shed,
And Hymen lead you to the nuptial bed !
There scatter blooming roses, sweet, and soon;
That you, like me, may taste an Honey-Moon,
TO DELIA,
BY MR. B-----—— T.
TVELIA! once the fairest virgin of the morn, -,
To melancholy now a prey forlorn ;
Seek not, sweet maid, the lonely sea-beat shore.
Not let thy swain, for love, thy loss deplore.
When he the ruthless surge did first assail,
And spread the canvass for the prosperous gale 5
By
k[ 91 ]
y honour urg'd to far Indostan's plain,
o gain a laurel, or a tropby'd fame ;
To fight for thee, the best3 the noblest prize,
That tyrant man could give, or Heav'n devise :
Now in the short-liv'd year again to meet.
Again to bless thee in thy lone retreat;
In ecstasy of soul to breathe his last,
On lips ambrosial gain a new repast,
And to returning life fresh vigour lend,
Returning joys another exit endj
Voluptuous bliss, and pain, alternate move
To crown with joys the bower of mutual love j
So the aweet-scented bud of pallid hue
Soon shines, a full-blown crimson rose to view,
And marks to man, how transient is his flame.
While the prolific stock new joys proclaim j
Another now supplies the vacant seat,
And shades the sacred grot of love's retreat;
Envied witness of the am'rous fight—
Luscious privilege of the nuptial night S
Then why, fair nymph, expose those heav'nly charms,
Why let thy cheek to fade with false alarms j
Why mourn o'er woes unnumber'd, yet unknown;
Why reckon others' sorrows for your own ?
I 'Tis sympathy, sweet maid, that racks thy soul,
To spread a partial misery through the whole;
'Tis that which decorates thy heav'n-born breast,
I And plants thy happiness above the rest,
In Henry's arms to live the envied fair,
Oh happy man ! Oh happy, happy pair !
C M ]
For thee, sweet girl, thy Henry hast'neth near.
When Cupids will prolong thy fond career ;
When day and night will lead to new desires.
And strive to quench the never-cooling fires;
Such the delights of th' Hymeneal state,
Such joys, my Delia, thee do now await;
Then will the timbrels beat to song divine,
And the gay'st couplets of the tuneful Nine
Will tell the fickle world, with fond design.
How Henry and Delia did in one combine ;
How happy were the well-deserving pair,
How gen'rous was the noble Henry's care,
How happy was the happiest of the fair.
ON LOVE.- ■
FROM ANACREON. BY FAWKES.
HjPQ love I wake the silver string,
And of his soft dominion sing :
A wreath of flowers adorns his brow,
The sweetest, fairest flowers that blow.
All mortals own his mighty sway,
And him the Gods above obey.
THE
[ 93 ]
THE MARRIAGE MORN.
Sung by Mr. DIGNUM,
AT THE ANACREONTIC SOCIETY,
T'HE marriage-morn I can't forget,
My senses teem'd with new delight ;
** Time," cried I, <« haste the coming nights
" And, Hymen, give me sweet Lisette V*
I whisper'd softly in her ear,
And said, " The God of night draws near.'*
0 how she look'd 1 O how she smil'd ! O how she sigk'd!'
She sigh'd—then spent a joyful tear.
Now nuptial night her curtain drew,
And Cupid's mandate was a Commence,
<* With ardour break the virgin's fence 1"
Then to the bed sweet Lisette flew——-
'Twas heav'n to view her as she lay,
And hear her cry, " Come to me, pray!
« 0 how I feel! O how I pant! O I shall die I
" Shall die before the break of day ¥'.
Soon manhood rose with furious gustj
And Mars, when he lewd Venus view'd,
Ne'er felt his power so closely screw'd
Up to the standing post of lust!
But when the stranger to her sight,
Sweet Lisette saw, in rampant plight!
0 how she scream'd ! O how she scream'd! O how she
scream'd 1
She scream'd—then grasp'd the dear delight!
Now
[ 94 ]
Now lustful nature eager grew,
And longer could not wanton toy,
So rushing up the path of joy,
Quick from the fount, love's liquor flew !—>
At morn, she cried, " Full three times three,
iC The vivid stream I 've felt from thee !
" O how I *m eas'd ! O how I 'm pleas'd ; gods how 1 'w
" chavm'd 1
iC I 'm charm'd, with rapt'rous three times three 1**
THE
UNION OF BEAUTY AND WINE,
A SONG. BY G. A. STEVENS.
Tune \—Attend all ye fair ones, I'll tell you the art,
f\NE day at her toilet, as Venus began
To prepare for her face-making duty,
Bacchus stood at her elbow, and swore that her plan
Would not help it, but hinder her beauty.
A bottle young Seraele held up to view,
And begg'd she'd observe his directions—-
This Burgundy, dear Cytharea, will do,
*Tis a rouge that refines all complexions.
Too polite to refuse him, the bumper she sips,
On Ms knees, the buck begg'd she'd encore;
The joy-giving goddess, with wine-moisten'd lips,
Bcclar'd she wou'd hob-nob once more.
Out
C 95 ]
Out of the window each wash, paste, and powder, she
hurl'd,
And the god of the grape vow'd to join ;
Shook hands, sign'd and seal'd, then bid fame tell the
world.
The Union of Beauty and Wine.
A LOVE SONG.
BY G» A STEVENS.
Tune ;—Genteel is my Damon, engaging his air*
T ET him, fond of fibbing, invoke which he '11 choose*,
Mars, Bacchus, Apollo, or madam the Muse :
Great names in the classical kingdom of letters.
But poets are apt to make free with their betters.
I scorn to say aught, save the tiling which is true,.
No beauties I '11 plunder, yet give mine her due j
She has charms upon charms, such as few people may
view,
She has charms-—for the tooth-ache, and eke for the
ague.
Her lips;—she lias two, and her teeth they are
white,
And what she puts into her mouth they can bite j
Black and all black her eyes j but what's worthy
remark,
They are shut when she sleeps, and she '$ blind in the
dark.
Her
[ 96 3
Her ears from her cheeks equal distance are bear-
*Cause each side her head should go partners in hear-
ing;
The fall of her neck *s the downfall of beholders,
Love tumbles them in by the head and the shoulders.
Her waist is—so—so, so waste no words about it,
Her heart is within it, her stays are without It 5
Her breasts are so pair'd—two such breasts when you
see,
You'll swear that no woman, yet born, e'er had three.
Her voice neither nightingales, no! nor canaries,
Nor all the wing'd warblers wild whistling vagaries s
Nor shall I to instrument music compare it,
*Tis likely, if you was not deaf, you might hear it.
Her legs are proportion'd to bear what they've
e&rry'd.
And equally pair'd, as if happily marry* d 1
But wedlock will sometimes the best friends divide,
By her spouse so she's serv'd, when he throws them
aside.
Not too tall, nor too short, bat I'll venture to say,
She ss a very good size—in the middling way j
She 's—aye—that she is,-—she is—but I *m wrong;
Her all I can }t say? for I *ve sung all my song.
BY
[ 97 j
BY MR. ADDISON...
MY love.was fickle once, and changing,
Nor e'er would settle in my heart;
From beauty still to beauty ranging,
In ev'ry face I found a dart.
| 'Twas first a charming shape ensiav'd rae3
An eye then gave the fatal stroke :
Till by wit Cortnna sav'd me,
And all my former fetters broke*
I But now a long and lasting anguish
For Belvidera I endure j
'Hourly I sigh, and hourly languish,
Nor hope to find the wonted cure.
For here the false, inconstant lover,
After a thousand beauties shown,
Does new, surprising charms discover,
And finds—variety in one.
ON A LADY'S GIRDLE...
BY WALLER.
THAT which her slender waist confin'd.
Shall now my j
