90 99 "If you miscarry, you are lost so far, "(For there's no erring twice in love and war) "You'll ne'er recover, but must always wear "Those chains you'll find it difficult to bear. "Delia has charms, Iown; such charms would move "Old Age and frozen Impotence to love: "But do not venture where such danger lies "Avoid the sight of those victorious eyes, "Whose pois'nous rays do to the soul impart 95 "Delicious ruin and a pleasing smart. "You draw, insensibly, destruction near, "And love the danger which you ought to fear. "If the light pains you labour under now "Destroy your ease, and make your spirits bow, "You'll find 'em much more grievous to be borne, "When heavier made by an imperious scorn; "Nor can you hope she will your passion hear "With softer notions, or a kinder ear, 104 "Than those of other swains, who always found. "She rather widen'd than clos'd up the wound. "But grant she should indulge your flame, and give "Whate'er you'd ask, nay, all you can receive ; "The short-liv'd pleasure would so quickly cloy, "Bring such a weak and such a feeble joy, "You'd have but small encouragement to boast "The tinsel rapture worth the pains it cost. "Consider, Strephon! soberly of things, "What strange inquietudes love always brings ; "The foolish fears, vain hopes, and jealousies, 115 "Which still attend upon this fond disease 110 "How you must cringe and bow, submit and whine, "Call ev'ry feature, ev'ry look, divine; "Commend each sentence with an humble smile ; "Tho' nonsense, swear it is a heav'nly style; 120 "Servilely rail at all she disapproves, "And as ignobly flatter all she loves; "Renounce your very sense, and silent sit "While she puts off impertinence for wit: "Like setting-dog,new whipp'd for springing game, “You must be made, by due correction, tame. 126 "But if you can endure the nauseous rule "Of women, do; love on, and be a fool. "You know the danger, your own methods use, "The good or evil's in your pow'r to choose: 130 "But who'd expect a short and dubious bliss "On the declining of a precipice, "Where, if he slips, not Fate itself can save "The falling wretch from an untimely grave?" "Thou great Directress of our minds,” said I, 135 "We safely on your dictates may rely, "And that which you have now so kindly prest "Is true, and, without contradiction, best; "But with a steady sentence to control "The heat and vigour of a youthful soul, "While gay temptations hover in our sight, "And daily bring new objects of delight, "Which on us with surprising beauty smile, "Is difficult, but is a noble toil. 140 "The best may slip, and the most cautious fall; 145 "He's more than mortal that ne'er err`d at all: "And tho' fair Delia has my soul possest, "I'll chase her bright idea from my breast; "At least I'll make one essay: if I fail, "And Delia's charms o'er Reason do prevail, 150 "I may be, sure, from rigid censures free; "Love was my foe, and Love's a deity.” Then she rejoin'd; "May you succesful prove "In your attempt to curb imperious Love; "Then will proud passion own her rightful lord; 155 "You to yourself, I to my throne, restor❜d:"But to confirm your courage, and inspire "Your resolution with a bolder fire, 160 165 "Follow me, Youth! I'll shew you that shall move But dead, like dogs, into the dust convey'd. 170 175 185 From hence, by Reason's conduct I was brought, 190 195 Amazing, all employ'd my troubled thought, 200 C 205 Exil'd from human pity here they lie, And know no end of mis'ry till they die: But'death, which comes in gay and prosp'rous days, Too soon in time of misery delays. These dreadful spectacles had so much pow'r, 210 I vow'd, and solemnly, to love no more; For sure that flame is kindled from below 235 Then we descending, by some few degrees, From this stupendous scene of miseries, Bold Reason brought me to another cave, Dark as the inmost chambers of the grave: "Here, Youth!" she cry'd, " in the acutest pain "Those villains lie who have their fathers slain, 219 "Stabb'd their own brothers, nay, their friends, to Ambitious, proud, revengeful, mistresses,[please "Who, after all their services, preferr'd "Some rugged fellow of the brawny herd' Before those wretches, who despairing, dwell "In agonies no human tongue can tell. "Darkness prevents the too amazing sight, "And you may bless the happy want of light." But my tormented ears were fill'd with sighs, Expiring groans, and lamentable cries, So very sad, I could endure no more; Methought I felt the miseries they bore. Then to my guide said I, "For pity, now "Conduct me back; here I confirm my vow, “ Which if I dare infringe, be this my fate, "To die thus wretched, and repent too late. 225 230 235 |