Written in a FLOWER BOOK of my own Colouring, defigned for Lady PLI
Debite nymphis opifex corona. HOR.
RING, FLORA, bring thy treasures here,
The pride of all the blooming year;
And let me, thence, a garland frame,
To crown this fair, this peerless dame!
But ah! fince envious winter lours,
And HEWELL meads refign their flow'rs,
Let art and friendship's joint effay
Diffuse their flow'rets, in her way.
Not nature can, herself, prepare
A worthy wreath for LESBIA's hair,
Whofe temper, like her forehead, fmoothe,
Whofe thoughts and accents form'd to foothe,
Whofe pleasing mien, and make refin'd,
Whofe artless breast, and polish'd mind,
From all the nymphs of plain or grove,
Deferv'd and won my PLIMOUTH's love.
WAS in a cool Aonian glade,
The wanton CUPID, fpent with toil,
Had fought refreshment from the shade;
And ftretch'd him on the moffy foil.
A vagrant muse drew nigh, and found
The subtle traitor fast asleep;
And is it thine to fnore profound,
She faid, yet leave the world to weep
But hush-from this aufpicious hour,
The world, I ween, may reft in peace;
And robb'd of darts, and ftript of pow'r,
Thy peevish petulance decrease.
Sleep on, poor child! whilft I withdraw,
And this thy vile artillery hide-
When the Caftalian fount she saw,
And plung'd his arrows in the tide.
That magic fount-ill-judging maid!
Shall cause you foon to curfe the day
You dar'd the fhafts of love invade;
And gave his arms redoubled fway.
For in a stream fo wonderous clear,
When angry CUPID fearches round,
Will not the radiant points appear?
Will not the furtive spoils be found?
Too foon they were; and every dart,
Dipt in the mufe's mystic spring,
Acquir'd new force to wound the heart;
And taught at once to love and fing.
Then farewel ye Pierian quire;
For who will now your altars throng? From love we learn to swell the lyre; And echo asks no sweeter fong.
Urit fpes animi credula mutui.
WAS not by beauty's aid alone,
That love ufurp'd his airy throne,
His boasted pow'r difplay'd:
'Tis kindness that fecures his aim,
'Tis hope that feeds the kindling flame,
Which beauty first convey'd.
In CLARA's eyes, the lightnings view;
Her lips with all the rose's hue
Have all its fweets combin'd;
Yet vain the blush, and faint the fire, 'Till lips at once, and eyes confpire To prove the charmer kind
Tho' wit might gild the tempting fnare,
With fofteft accent, fweeteft air,
By envy's felf admir'd;
If LESBIA'S wit betray'd her fcorn,
In vain might every grace adorn
What every mufe inspir'd.
Thus airy STREPHON tun'd his lyre-
He scorn'd the pangs of wild defire,
Which love-fick fwains endure :
Refolv'd to brave the keenest dart;
Since frowns could never wound his heart,
And fmiles--must ever cure.
But ah! how falfe thefe maxims prove,
How frail fecurity from love,
Experience hourly shows!
Love can imagin'd fmiles fupply,
On every charming lip and eye
Eternal fweets bestows.
In vain we truft the fair-one's eyes;
In vain the fage explores the fkies,
To learn from stars his fate :
"Till led by fancy wide aftray,
He finds no planet mark his way;
Convinc'd and wife-too late.
As partial to their words we prove;
Then boldly join the lifts of love,
With towering hopes fupply'd:
So heroes, taught by doubtful shrines,
Mistook their deity's designs;
Then took the field--and dy'd.
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