This takes the perch, and that the tench's eye;
So diff'rent nymphs a diff'rent charm invites,
Some yield for vantage, fome for vanity,

A fong this one, a daunce that maid delights:
Man throws the wimble bait, and greedy woman bites,
XXVIII.

With forrow overhent, the other day
I laid my weary limbs adown to reft,
Where a tall beech o'erfpread the dusky way;
My noyous thoughts a dream awhile fupprefs'd,
Oft weighty truths are in this garb ydress'd.
Grant that it fo may happen unto me;
Then joyance once again fhall footh this breast,
My pining foul fhall be from anguish free,
And I fhall tafte true blifs, dear Columbel, with thee,
XXIX.

Methought I faw a figure fair and tall,

And gentle fmiles fat dimpling on her face,
Yet feemed of a beauty nought at all,
"Till much beholding did improve each grace;
At length she seem'd too fair for human race.
Her kirtle white might vie with winter fnows,
Ne could you ought of her fair bosom trace,
Nought but her face would fhe to fight expofe,
So modest maiden wends, the frannion muchel fhows.

XXX.

With visage bland methought she hail'd me oft; Ne fear, quoth fhe, a female's mild request. "The bark by tempests that is whirl'd aloft, "At length, the tempeft o'er, enjoyeth reft. "My name is Chastity, though out of queft "With modern dames, yet thou shalt ftill furvey "A clime where beauty is with virtue bleft. "Good fortune speed you on your happy way; "Go, gentle Squire of Dames, and here no longer stay, XXXI.

"To fairy lond your inftant journey bend, "There Columbel may find her will obey'd; "There Chastity may boaft of many a friend, "She vifits there each rofy-featur'd maid. "Go on, nor be by former toils affray'd: "Go, where yon oaks display their verdant pride, ""Till, from the mountains torn, and ftripp'd of fhade. "On Neptune's billows they triumphant ride, "Protect their happy lond, and conquer all befide,

XXXII.

Hail happy lond! for arms and arts renown'd, "For blooming virgins free from loose defire ; "A Drake, a Bacon, there a birth-place found, And chafte Eliza time fhall e'er admire:

The

The hero wields the fword and poet's lyre : "This Sidney knew, who ftill with luftre shines, "For whom Dan Spenfer wak'd the warbling quire, "And many more whose names might grace his lines; "There round the warriour's palm the lover's myrtle twines.” XXXIII.

At this I woke, and now refolv'd to brave
The utmost perlis for my Columbel;
For, know, I mean to crofs the briny wave,
Where Albion's chalky cliffs the fea repel
And, if no mage have laid a magic fpell,
Perchaunce my lot may be at length to find
Three hundred nymphs, who wicked love can quel·l;
If not, I muft defert all womankind,

And, what me most amates, leave Columbel behind,

XXXIV.

The Squire of Dames furceased here his fay,
And forth he yode to feek the British isle,
Sir Satyrane prick'd on his dapple-grey,
Ne ought forefwonk he travell'd many a mile
To spend his days in hardiment and toil;
But first in courteous guife they bid farewell,
As well befits men bred in courtly foil.
Now how the Squire has sped, or ill, or well,
A future canto may, perhaps, at leifure tell.

XXXV.

For fee, how Phoebus welketh in the west,
My oxen from their yoke I must untye,

The collar much has chauf'd their tender cheft,
Who labours much the sweets of rest should try.
To their warm nests the daws and ravens fly
Deep in the ruin'd dome or dusky wood;
And beasts and birds fast lock'd in flumber lye,
Save the fell bat, that flutters out for food,
And the foothfaying owl, with her unlovely brood.

T

CANTO II.

ARGUMEN T.

The Squire he lights on Bon-vivant,

Who zvons in Fairy foil,

Then views in Merlin's magic glass

A fight that ends his toil.

I.

O gain the point to which our foul afpires

We nourish toil, and reek hard labour fweet;

For this, thro' Greenland's frofts, or India's fires,
The hardy failors death and dangers meet;

And

And the prow chieftain, bolder than difcreet,
İn blood imbru'd purfues the martial fray,

And lovers eke through life's loud tempefts beat,
Led on by hope, that never-dying ray;

Hope wantons in their breast, and strews with flow'rs the way,

II.

And fure of all mankind the Squire of Dames
Shall ftand the firft enfample of true love,
Who aye, untouch'd by any foreign flames,
Preferv'd his paffion for his gentle dove;
Blush, modern youths, whofe pulfes quickly move,
Fondly you glote upon the witching fair;

Yet, when a fweet enjoyment once you prove,
You leave the nymph intangled in the fnare,

Her tears flow trickling down, her fingults pierce the air.
III.

Oh think of transports which ye whilom tafted,
And let the glad remembrance charm your mind,
Be not the fruits of joyment quickly wasted,
And to your heart her happy image bind :.
Think what the merits who whilear was kind,
Nor by inconftancy her peace deftroy;
Inconftancy, that monster fell and blind:
That vainly fond of every paffing toy,

Treads down its late delight, and poifons rapt'rous joy.