FOR HAVING LOVED BEFORE.
THEY, that never had the use
Of the grape's surprising juice,
To the first delicious cup,
All their reason render up!
Neither do, nor care to, know,
Whether it be best, or no?
So they that are to Love inclined,
Swayed by chance, not choice or art,
To the first that 's fair, or kind,
Make a present of their heart!
'Tis not She that first we love;
But whom, dying, we approve!
To Man, that was i' th' evening made,
Stars gave the first delight;
Admiring, in the gloomy shade,
Those little drops of light.
Then at AURORA, whose fair hand
Removed them from the skies,
He gazing tow'rd the East did stand;
She entertained his eyes.
But when the bright Sun did appear;
All those he 'gan despise!
His wonder was determined there.
He could no higher rise!
He neither might, nor wished to, know A more refulgent light!
For that (as mine, your beauties now!) Employed his utmost sight.
PHILLIS! why should we delay Pleasures shorter than the day? Could we (which we never can!) Stretch our lives beyond their span, Beauty, like a shadow, flies ;
And our Youth, before us dies!
Or, would Youth and Beauty stay,
Love has wings, and will away!
Love has swifter wings than Time!
Change in Love, to heaven does climb!
Gods, that never change their state,
Varied oft their love and hate!
PHILLIS! to this truth we owe
All the love betwixt us two!
Let not you and I inquire,
What has been our past desire!
On what Shepherds you have smiled;
Or what Nymphs I have beguiled!
Leave it to the planets too,
What we shall hereafter do!
For the joys we now may prove,
Take advice of present Love.
STRANGE that such horror, and such grace,
Should dwell together in one place;
A Fury's arm! an Angel's face!
'Tis innocence and youth which makes,
In CHLORIS' fancy, such mistakes;
To start at love, and play with snakes!
By this, and by her coldness, barred;
Her Servants have a task too hard!
The tyrant has a double guard!
Thrice happy snake! that in her sleeve
May boldly creep. We dare not give
Our thoughts so unconfined a leave!
Contented, in that nest of snow,
He lies, as he his bliss did know;
And to the wood no more would go!
Take heed, fair EVE! you do not make
Another Tempter of this snake!
A marble one, so warmed, would speak!
CHLORIS, farewell! I now must go!
For if with thee I here do stay,,
Thine eyes prevail upon me so,
I shall go blind, and lose my way!
Fame of thy beauty and thy youth, Amongst the rest, me hither brought! Finding this fame fall short of truth, Made me stay longer than I thought!
For I'm engaged, by word and oath,
A Servant to another's will:
Yet, for thy love, would forfeit both;
Could I be sure to keep it still!
But what assurance can I take;
When thou (foreknowing this abuse),
For some more worthy Lover's sake,
Mayst leave me, with so just excuse!
For thou mayst say, "Twas not thy fault, That thou didst thus unconstant prove! Thou wert, by my example, taught
To break thy oath, to mend thy love!'
No, CHLORIS! No! I will return,
And raise thy story to that height,
That strangers shall at distance burn;
And She distrust me, reprobate!
Then shall my love, this doubt displace:
And gain such trust, that I may come
And banquet sometimes on thy face;
But make my constant meals at home!
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