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This institution reserves the right fo refuse to acce^^^^^ CODY order If, in its judgement, fulfilment of the order wouW involve violation of the copyright law. AUTHOR: ARISTAENETUS TITLE: THE LOVE EPISTLES OF ARISTAENETUS PLA CE: LONDON DA TE : 1771 COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES PRESERVATION DEPARTMENT Master Negative # -JlrJ^ii^rJ Restrictions on Use: BIBLIOGRAPHIC MICROFORM TARGET Original Material as Filmed - Existing Bibliographic Record 88Ar32 JI mm mmmmmmm \ Eng. t ! Aristaenetus, The love epistles of Aristaenetus, tr. from the Greek into English metre... London, Wilkie, 1771. 174 p. 19-J- om. Preface si/»nod H« S« u ■?' o TECHNICAL MICROFORM DATA REDUCTION RATIO:_j]i FILM SIZE: ^____ IMAGE PLACEMENT: lA ^A^ IB IIB DATE FILMED: jil^^iZ-- INITIALS__f7^M:^ HLMEDBY: RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS. 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MDCCLXXI. / rroJi^^s^ . • • • • • • • •» • • • • • > • • •• • I • • • • (a • • • • • • • « •• • • • • • • • • • • • • • ! • • • • • - • » '. ♦ • I Gift Dr. JAMES PECH June 7, 1913 B8 Ay- 32. II PREFACE. THE Critics have not yet decided at what time Arijlanetus appeared, or indeed whether or not he ever exifted : for, as he is mentioned by no ancient author, it has been conjeftiired that there never was fuch a perfon ; jlnd that the name prefixed to the firft Epiftle was taken by the publilher for that of the writer. This work was never known nor heard of till Samhucus gave it to the world in the year 1566: fince which time there have been feveral editions of it publifhed at Paris 5 where the book feems to have been held in greater eftimation than amongft us. As to the real date of its compofition, we have nothing but con-* jefture to offer : By the twenty-fixth Epiftle ic A 3 Ihould PREFACE. Vli VI PREFACE. Ihould feem that the Author lived in the time of the later emperors, when Byzantium was called New Rome : and therein mention is made of the pantomime ador Caramallus, who was cotem- porary with Sidonius ApolUnaris* * Thefe Epiftles are certainly terfe, elegant, and very poetical, both in language and fentiment : ' yet, pleafing as they are, they have fcarcely any thing original in them, being a cento from the writings of Plato, Lucian, Philojlratus, and al-f moft all the ancient Greek authors; whofe fen- tences are moft agreeably woven together, and applied to every paflion incident to Love. This circumftance, though it may leflen our idea of the invention of the Author, Ihould not in the leaft depreciate the performance-, as it opens to us a new fource of entertainment, in contem- plating the tafte of the Compofer in the felec- tion of his fentences, and his ingenuity in the application application of them : whilft the authority and reputation of the works from whence thefe fweets are extrafted, adds dignity to the fub- jeft on which they are beftowed. Having faid thus much of the Original, cuftom feems to demand fome apology for the Tranaation. And, firft, it may to fome appear a whimfical undertaking, to give a metrical tranQation of a profaic Author : but the Englijh reader, it is to be prefumed, will not find any deficiency of poetical thoughts on that account^ however the dicSrion may have fuffered by paf- fing through unworthy hands : and to fuch as are acquainted with that elegant luxuriance which charafterifes the Greek profe, this point will not need a folution. Nor can it be deemed derogatory from the merit of our own language to affirm, that the fuperiority of the Greek in this refpeft, is fo forcible, that even the moft A 4 trifling \ U i ^n * ^ ym P R E F A C IE. trifling of thefe Epiftles mufl: have fufFered con- fiderably both in fpirit and fimplicity, if com- mitted to the languid formality of an Englilh frofaic tranflation. The ingenious Tom Brown has tranflated, or rather imitated, fome feledt pieces from this col- ledtion, but he either totally mifconceived the Ipirit of his Author, or was very unequal tojhfcf- execution of it. He prefents you, it is true, with a portrait of the Author, and a portrait that has fome refemblance to him ; but it is painted in a bad attitude, and placed in d difadvantageous light. In the Original, the language is neat, though energetic 5 it is elegant as well as witty. Brown has failed in both ; and though a ftrift adherence to thefe points in a metrical tranflation may be efl:eemed difiicult, yet it is hoped that the Englifli drefs in which Arijianetus is at prefent offered to the Public, PREFACE. IK Public, will appear to become him more thaa any he has ever worn in this country. It were abfurd to pretend that this Tranflation is perfectly literal : the very genius of profe and verfe forbid it ; and the learned Reader, who fliall confult the Original, will find many reafons for the impropriety as well as difficulty of following the Author's expreffions too clofe- ly. Some things there were, which it was fcarce pofTible to handle in verfe -, and they are entirely omitted, or paraphraftically imitated : many pafTages have been foftened as indelicate, fome fupprefTed as indecent. But befide thefe allowable deviations, a ftill farther licence has been taken ; for, where the fubjeft would ad- mit of it, many new ideas are aflTociated with the original fubfl:ance, yet lb far affedting the Author's proper ftyle, that its native fimpficity might not be obfcured by their introduftion. And '?* ' '*^ i#"?-> t P R E F A C £. And two or three Epiftles there are in this col- leftion, which mull fhelter themfelves under the name of Ariftasnetus, without any other title to his proteftion, than that of adhering to the fubjeft of the feveral Epiftles which they have fupplanted. The only apology which can be offered for this, is an avowal that the objeft of this Tranflation was not fo much to bring to light the merit of an undiftinguiflied and almoft unknown Ancient, as to endeavour to introduce into our language a fpecies of poetry not frequently attempted, and but very fcldom with fucccfs — that fpecies which has. been called the /implex mimditiis in writing, where the thoughts are ipirited and fanciful without quaintnefs, and the ftyle fimple, yet not inelegant. Tliough the merit of fuccceding in this point fhould not be given to the prefent attempt, yet it m.ay in fome meafure become ferviceable to the caufc, by inciting others of better PREFACE. XI better tafte and abilities to endeavour to redeem our language from the imputation of barbarity in this refpedt. As to the many different meafures which are here introduced, fomething befide the Tranfla- tor's caprice may be urged in their favour- For by a variation of metre, the ftyle almofl; neceffarily undergoes an alteration : and in ge- neral, the particular ftrain of each Epiftle fug- gefted the particular meafure in which it is Written. Had they been all in one kind of verfe they would have fatigued, they might have difgufted : at prefent, it is hoped, that fome analogy will be found between the mode of pafTion in each Epiftle, and the verfificatlon by which it is expreffed : at the fame time that a variety of metres, like a variety of profpefts on a road, will condud the Reader with greater fatisfaflion V r ^(11 PREFACE. fatisfaction through the whole ftage, though it be (hort. There remains but one thing more to be faid. -—The Original is divided into two parts ; the prefent Effay contains only the Firft : By its^ fuccefs muft the fate of the Second be deter- mined. H. S, |!| •SEasa CONTENTS. EPISTLE I. L A I S. — — — — Page 1 EPISTLE II. THE PLEASING CONSTRAINT. EPISTLE III. THE GARDEN OF PHYLLION. II IS EPISTLE IV. THE EXPERIMENT. — EPISTLE V. THE EXPEDIENT. — «9 35 CON- EPISTLE VL THE CONSOLATION. Z9 EPISTLE »y CONTENTS. EPISTLE VII. THE DISAPPOINTMENT. Page 45 EPISTLE VIII. FROM THE GROOM OF A KNIGHT IN LOVE. , 5, EPISTLE IX. THE SLIP. - EPISTLE X. ACONTIUS AND CYDIPPE. EPISTLE XL THE ARTFUL MAID. — EPISTLE XII. THE ENRAPTURED LOVER. EPISTLE XIIL THE SAGACIOUS DOCTOR. EPISTLE XIV. THE PROVIDENT SHEPHERDESS. Si 59 73 79 91 lOl EPISTLE Mf CONTENTS, EPISTLE Xy. THE FORCE OF LOVE, Page 107 EPISTLE XVI. THE BASHFUL LOVER. M3 EPISTLE XVII. TIIE HAUGHTY BEAUTY. — 117 EPISTLE XVIIL EXCUSES. . 121 EPISTLE XIX. MERIT RESCUED FROM SHAME. 125 * w EPISTLE XX. THE JAILOR TRICKED. Iji EPISTLE XXL CRUEL COMPASSION. 135 EPISTLE XXn. PRIDE DEJECTED; . 139 EPISTLE XXIII. THE DOUBLE MISFORTUNE. 145 EPISTLE xvf CONTENTS. EPISTLE XXIV. CONSTANCY. Page 147 EPISTLE XXV. THE SISTERS. EPISTLE XXVII. THE COXCOMB. J53 EPISTLE XXVI. THE PANTOMIME ACTRESS, 157 161 EPISTLE XXVIII. THE RIVAL FRIENDS. — 167 "'-^.^ THE THfi LOVE EPISTLES F ARISTiENETUS. EPISTLE L ! L A 'I S. *ARISTiENETUS TO PHILOCALUS. t XJ LEST with a form of heav'nly frame, '^^ Bleft with a foul beyond that form j With more than mortal ought to claim. With all that can a mortal warm, Lai: \ ais NOTES. * There is a fludicd propriety in the very na7nes of the fuppofed correfpondents in thefe Epiftles; having in the original this peculiar beauty, that generally jone, and often both of them, bear an agreeable allufion to the fubje<^ of the feveral letters to which they are prefixed, + In this letter Ariftsnetus defcribes the beauties of his miilrefs to his friend. This dcfcription differs in one cir- 6 cumflance 1 LOVE EPISTLES Ep. L Lais was from her birth defignM To charm— yet triumph o'er mankind. There Nature, lavifli of her flore. Gave all (he could— and wifti'd for more ; Whilft Fenus gaz'd, her form was fuch! Wond'ring how Nature gave fo much : Yet added (he new charms ; for fhe Could add — * A fourth bright Grace, fhe faid, * A fourth, beyond the other three, * Shall raife my power in this fweet maid.' Then Cupid, to enhance the prize. Gave all his little arts could reach; To dart Love's language from the eyes He taught— 'twas all was left to teach, O faireft of the virgin band ? Thou mafter- piece of Nature's hand ? NOTES, cumftance from the ufual poetic analyfis of beauty ; which is this, that (if we except the epithets ' rufy,' */no^y,* &c. which could not well have been avoided) the lady it paints would be really beautiful ; whereas it is generally faid, c that a negroe would be handfome, compared to woman * in poetical drcfs.' So tt».L OF ARISTiENETUS. So like the Cyprian Queen, I'd fwear Her image fraught with life were there : But filent all : and filent be. That you may hear her praife from me : I'll paint my Lais' form j nor aid I afk — for I have feen the maid. Her cheek with native crimfon glows, But crimfon foft'ned by the rofe : *Twas Hebe^s felf beftow'd the hue ; Yet Health has added fomething too : But if an over -tinge there be. Impute it to her modefty. Her lips of deeper red, how thin ! How nicely white the teeth within f Her nofe how taper to the tip ! And flender as her ruby lip : Her brows in arches proudly rife. As confcious of her pow'rful eyes : Thofe eyes, majeftic-black, difplay The luftre of the god of day j B 2 And • m ■ » r LOVE EPISTLES Ep.L And by the contraft of the white. The jetty pupil Ihines more bright. There the glad graces keep their court, And in the liquid mirror fport. Her trefles, when no fillets bind. Wanton luxurious in the wind : Like Dian's auburn locks they Jhone — ' But Venus wreath'd them like her own. Her neck, which well with fnow might vie, Is form'd with niceft fymmetry j In native elegance fecure The moft obdurate heart to wound ; But (he, to make her conquefts fure, With fparkling gems bedecks it round : * With gems, that rang'd in order due, Prefent the fair one's name to view. NOTES. • < With gems f that rang^ d in order due^ « Pre/ent the fair one's name to 'vieiv.*] This conceit was formerly reckoned a peculiar elegance in a lady's drefs. Her Ep.L of A'RIST^NETUS. Her light-fpun robes in ev'ry part Are fafhion'd with the niceft art, T'improve her ftature, and to grace The polifh'd limbs which they embrace. How beautiful fhe looks, when dreft ! But view her freed from this difguife, Stript of th' unneceflary veft— 'Tis Beauty's felf before your eyes. How ftately doth my Lais go I With ftudied ftep, compos'dly flow : Superb, as fome tall mountain-fir. Whom Zephyr's wing doth flightly ftir : (For furely Beauty is allied By Nature very near to Pride) Thp groves indeed mild breezes move, But her the gentler gales of Love. From her the pencil learns its die — The rofy lip, the fparkling eye ; And bids the pidlur'd form afTume Bright Helen's mien, and Hebe's bloom. B3 But ..« . - .. » - LOVE EPISTLES Ep.L But how fhall I defcribe her breaft ! That now firft fwells with panting throb To burft the fond embracing veft. And emulate her fnow-white robe. So exquifitcly foft her limbs ! That not a bone but pliant feems ; As if th' embrace of love — fo warm ! Would quite diflblve her beauteous form. But when (he fpeaks ! — good heav'ns ! e'en now Methinks I hear my fav*rite fong; E'en yet with Love's refpe£t I bow To all th' enchantment of her tongue. —Her voice moft clear — yet 'tis not ftrong j Her periods/i■ f I F:^ JEp.L of ARISTiENETUS. 9 Each turn'd with pleafure 10 the reft ; And this the pray'r that warm'd each breaft. * Thus may that lovely bloom for ever glow, * Thus may thofe eyes for ever fhine I ^ O may'ft thou never feci the fcourge of woe ! * O never be misfonune thins ! * Ne'er may the crazy hand of pining care * Thy mirth and youthful fpirits break ! * Never come ficknefs, or love-crofs'd defpair * To pluck the lofes from thy check ! — * Butblifsbe thine-'Thecaresv/hich/cwfupplies* ' Be all the cares that you (liall dread ; . f The grateful drop, now glilVning in your eyes, ' Be all the tears you ever (lied/ Buthufii'd be now thy am'rous fong. And yield a tjieme, thy praifes wrong: Juft to her charms, thou can'il: not raife Thy notes — but muft I ccafe to praife ? Yes 1 will ceafe for flic'll infpire HoM. Each Again the lay, who ftrung my lyre. Then la LOVE EPISTLES Ep. H. Then frefh I'll paint the charming maid. Content, if Jhe my drain approves j Again my lyre fh^ll lend its aid. And dwell upon the theme it loves; Ff.IL of ARlSTiENETUS. ii EPISTLE IL * THE PLEASING CONSTRAINT. TN a fnug little court as I flood t'other day. And caroird the loitering minutes away ; Came a brace of fair nymphs, with fuch beautiful faces, That they yielded in number alone to the graces : Difputing they were, and that earneftly too. When thus they addrefs'd me as nearer they drew— ^ ' So fweet is your voice, and your numbers fo fweet, « Such fentiment join'd with fuch harmony meet ; < Each note that you raife finds its way to our * hearts, « Where Cupid engraves it v^i' the point of his darts : ^ But O ! by thefe ftrains, which fo deeply can pierce, * Inform us for whom you intended your verfc ; NOTES. ^ This fufficiently explains itfelf. It has no names pre. f x?d to it in the original, and is very literally tranflated. « 'Til I i^ LOVE EPISTLES Ep. II, * 'Tis for her flie affirms— I maintain 'tis for me— . « t And we often pull caps in averting our plea.' . * Why, ladies, cried I, you're both handfome, 'tis true. But ceafe your difpute — I love neither of you : My life on another dear creature depends. Her I haft'-n to vifit : fo kifs and be friends.' O ho ! — fetid they, now you convince us quite clear, For no pretty woman lives anywhere here — That's plainly a iham : — Now to humour us both. You ihdWfivear you love neither; fo come take youf « oath.' * I laughing replied, 'tis tyrannical dealing * To make a man fwear, v/hen 'tis plain he's not willing. ' • Why, friend, v/e've long fought thy fairperfon tq ' feize ; « And think you we'll take fuch excufes as thefe I N o T F s. •\ * /nd zve often full caps*] This is almofl: literally the Greek expreilion, * Kal oicc al ^tXo^E.'xa-; xai /^^Vf* '^f*/C*"' « No Ep.iil of ARIST^NETUS. 13. c isj^o — 'twas chance brought you hither, and here you « (hall ftay— * Help, Phaedra ! to hold— or he'll fure get away/ Thus fpoken, to keep mc between 'em they tried— 'Twas a fUafing conjlraint j and I gladly complied. If I ftruggled — 'twas to make 'em imprifon me more. And ftrove — but for (hackles more tight than before—* But think not, I'll tell how the minutes were fpent— You may think what you pleafs— but they both were content. Ep.IIL of ARISTiENETUS, V EPISTLE III. ♦ THE GARDEN OF PHYLLION. PHILOPLATANUS TO ANTHOCOM^, T3LEST was my lot— ah ! fure *twas blifs, my friend. The day — by heav'ns ! the live-long day to fpend With Love, and my Limona ! Hence ! in vaia Would mimic Fancy bring thofe fcenes again j In vain delighted Mem'ry tries to raife My doubtful fong, and aid my will to praife ! I. '*♦». NOTES. • This is furely a moft elegant defcriptive pafioral ; ani hardly inferior to any of Theocritus. The images are a.l extremely natural and fimple, though the exjireffion is glowing and luxurious : they are feleded from a variety of Greek authors, but chiefly from the Phocdrus of Plato.— What interfertions there may be, have been before apolo- gized for ; but their deteftion fhall be left to the fagacity or inquifition of the reader, The cafe is the fame with the firft EpilUe, and indeed with moft of them. In ■ 1 M i6 LOVE EPISTLES Ep.IIL I' V n i— In vain ! Nor Fancy ftrikes, nor Meni'ry knows The little fprings from whence thofe joys arofe. Yet come, coy Fancy, fympathetic maid ! Yes-r-I zvit'I a(k, I will implore thy aid : For I wou'id tell n\y friend^ whate'er befcl 5 Whate'er Ifaw^ whatever I did Fll tell • But what Ifelt fweet Venus ! there infpire My lay, or wrap his foul in all thy fire. * Bright rofs the morn, and bright remain'd the day 5 The mead was fpanglcd with the bloom of May : We on the bank of a fweet ftream were laid, With blufliing rofe, and lowly vi'lets fpread : Fad by our fide a fprcading plane-tree grew, And wav'd its head, that fnone with morning dew. The bank acclivous rofe, and fwell'd above The frizzled mofs a pillow for my love. Trees with their ripen'd ftores glow'd all around. The loaded branches bow'd upon the ground : Sure the fair virgins of Pomona's train In thofs glad orchards hold their fertile reign. The fruit ne^Slareous, and the fcented bloom Wafted on Zephyr's wing, their rich perfume : A leaf • Ep.IIL OF ARISTiENETtJS. 17 * A leaf I bruis'd what grateful fcents arofe ! Ye gods ! what odours did a leaf difclofe. Aloft each elm flow wav'd its dufky top. The willing vine embrac'd the fturdy prop : And while we ftray'd the ripen'd grape to find^ Around our necks the clafping tendrils twin'd j I with a fmile would tell th' entangled fair, I envied e'en the vines a lodging there 5 Then twift them off, and footh with am'rous play Her breafts, and kifs each rofy mark away. Cautious Limona trod her ftep was flow ' ■ For much (he fear'd the fculking fruits below ; Cautious left haply fhe, with flip'ry tread. Might tinge her fnowy feet with vinous red. Around with Critic glance, we view'd the ftorc, And oft lejedled what we'd prais'd before i NOTES* • A leaf I bruised, l^c.'\ Nothing can be more furat, and at the fame time more forcible than this image ; where the univerfal fragrance of the fpot is not expatiated on j but marked at once by this fimple fpecimen, C This iS LOVE EPISTLES Ep. III. This would my love accept, and this refufc For varied plenty puzzled us to chufe. ■ « Here may the bunches taftelefs, immature, < Unheeded learn to blulh, and fwell fecure: * In richer garb yon turgid clufters ftand, * And glowing purple tempts the plund'ring hand. < —Then reach 'em dov/n, (he faid ; for you can reach, « And cull, with daintieft hand, the beft of each/ . Pleas'd I obey'd, and gave my love whilft ftie Return'd fweet thanks, and pick'd the beft for me— 'Tivas pleafing fure— yet I refus'd her fuit. But kifb'd the lib'ral hand that held the fruit. Hard by the ever-jovial harveft train Hail the glad fcafon of Pomona's reign ; With ruftic fong around her fane they ftand. And lifping children join the choral band : Th^y bufily intent now ftrive to aid. Now firft they're taught th' hereditary trade : 'Tis their's to clafs the fruits in order due. For pliant rufti, to fearch the meadow through ; To tp.ltt. OF ARIST^NETUS* fg To mark if chance unbruis'd a wind- fall drop ; Or teach the infant vine to know its prop. And haply too fome aged fire is there, " To check difputes, and give to each his ftiare ;— * With feeble voice their little work he cheers. Smiles at their toil, and half forgets his years.— Here let the pippin, fretted o'er with gold, In foft'ring ftraw defy the winter's cold ; The hardier rufTet here will fafely keep. And dufky rennet with it's crimfon cheek : But mind, my boys, the mellow pear to place In foft inclofure, with divided fpace j And mindful moft, how lies the purple plumb. Nor foil, with headlefs touch, its native bloom.* Intent they liften'd to th' inftruding lord- But moft intent — to glean their own reward. Now turn, my lov'd Limona, turn and view How chang'd the fcene ! how elegantly new ! Mark how yon vintager enjoys his toil ; Glows with flufli red, and Bacchanalian fmile i C 3 His 26 LOVE EPISTLES Ep.III His (lipp'ry fandals burft the lufcious vine, And fplafh alternate in the new-born wine. Not far the lab'ring train, whofe care fupplies The trodden prefs, and bids frefh plenty rife — The teaming boughs, that bend beneath their freight. One bufy peafant cafes of the weight 5 One climbs to where th' afpiring fummits fhoot } Beneath— a hoary fire receives the fruit. Pleas'd we admir'd the jovial buftling throng— Bleft e'en in toil !— but we admir'd not long. For calmer joys we left the bufy fcene, And fought the thicket, and the ftream again : For facred was the fount, and all the grov« Was hallow'd kept, and dedicate to love. Soon gentle breezes, frefhen'd from the wave. Our temples fann'd, and whifper'd us to lave. The ftream itfelf feem'd murm'ring at our feet Sweet invitation from the noon- day heat— We bathed— and while we fwam, fo clear it flow'd. That ev'ry limb the cryftal mirror fliew'd, 3 But Ep.IIL of ARISTiENETUS. 21 But my love's bofom oft deceiv'd my eye, Refembling thofe fair fruits that glided by ; * For when I thought her fwelling breaft to clafp. An apple met my difappolnted grafp. Delightful was the ftream itfelf— I fwear. By thofe glad nymphs who make the founts their care. It was delightful :— but more pleafing ftill When fweet Limona fported in the rill ; For her foft blufti fuch fweet refledion gave. It ting'd with rofy hues the palid wave. Thus, thus delicious was the murm'ring fpring; Nor lefs delicious the cool zephyr's wing ; Which mild allay'd the fun's meridian pow'r. And fwept the fragrant fcent from ev'ry flow'r : NOTES. • For 'when I thought, ^c,] This allufion feems forced : but the Ancients had an apple, which came from Cydon, a town of Crete, and was called Cydonian, that, from its fize and beautiful colour, might be faid to refemble a woman's breaft: and the allufion is frequent in the old poets. In the eighteenth of thefe Epiftles too, we meet with the jtllunov fAsAoF. C3 A fcent. ,a LOVE EPISTLES Ep. lU, A fcent, that feafted my tranfported fenfe. Like that, Limona's fweet perfumes difpenfe : But ftill, my love, fuperior thine I fwear— At lead thy partial lover thinks they are. Near where we fat, full many a glad'ning found, Befide the ruftling breeze, was heard around : The little grafliopper eflay'd its fong, As if 'twould emulate the feather'd throng : Still lifp'd it uniform — yet now and then It fumething chirp'd, and fkipp'd upon the green. Aloft the fprightly warblers fill'd the grove ; Sweet native melody ! fweet notes of love ! While nightingales their artlefs ftrains eflay'd. The air, methought, felt cooler in the glade : A thoufand feather'd throats the chorus join'd. And held harmonious converfe with mankind. Still in mine eye the fprightly fongfters play 5 Sport on the wing, or twitter on the fpray : On fuot alternate reft their little limbs } Or cool their pinions in the gliding ftreams 5 Surprife Ep.IIL of ARISTiENETUS. 23 Surprife the worm, or fip the brook aloof. Or watch the fpi'^er weave his fubtile woof. — We the meantime difcours'd in whifpers low. Left haply fpeech difturb the rural ftiow. Liften. — Another pleafure I difplay, That help'd delightfully the time away. < From diftant vales, where bubbles from its fource A chryftal rill, they dug a winding courfe : See ! thro' the grove a narrow lake extends, Crofles each plot, to each plantation bends ; And while the fount in new meanders glides. The foreft brightens with refrefhing tides. T'wards us they taught the new-born ftream to flow, T'wards us it crept irrefolute and flow : * Scarce had the infant current trickled by. When lo I a wond'rous fleet attrads our eye : Laden NOTES. • Scarce had, Sffr.] This is an exceffively pretty image The water-bailifFdug afmall water-courfe, which came by the C4 feet 24 LOVE EPISTLES Ep.III. Laden with draughts might greet a monarch's tongue. The mimic navigation fwam along. Haften, ye (hip- like goblets, down the vale, t Your freight a flaggon, and a leaf your fail ; O may no envious rufh thy courfe impede. Or floating apple ftop thy tide-borne fpeed. His mildeft breath a gentle zephyr gave ; The little vefTels trimly ftemm'd the wave : Their precious merchandife to land they bore. And one by one refign'd the balmy flore. Stretch but a hand, we boarded them, and quaft With native luxury the temper'd draught. NOTES. feet of thefe people in the garden ; and the dream had fcarce pafled by them when the fervants fent down feveral drinking veflelsin the fhape of fhips ; which held warm li- quor fo nicely tempered, that the coolnefs of the water which encompaffed it in its paflage, wasjuft fufficient to render it palatable when it arrived at the port of dejiination. t Tour freight afiaggon, and a hzfjour fail.] In the original, this luxurious image is purfued fo far, that the ytry leaf, which is reprefented as the /ail of the vefTel, is particularifed as of a medicinal nature, capable of pre^ venting any ill cffeds the wine might produce. For Ep.III. of A RI S TiE NET WS. 315 For where they loaded the ne£lareous fleet. The goblet glow'd with too intenfe a heat ; CoolM by degrees in thefe convivial fhips, With niceft tafte it met our thirfty lips. Thus in delight the flow'ry path we trod To Venus facred, and the rofy god : Here might we kifs, here Love fecure might reign, And revel free, with all his am'rous train. — And we did kifs, my friend, and Love was there, And fmooth'd the ruftic couch that held my fair. * Like a fpring-mead with fcented bloflfoms crown'd, Her head with choiceft wreaths Limona bound : But Love, fweet Love ! his facred torch fo bright Had fann'd, that, glowing from the rofy light, A blufli — (the print of a connubial kifs. The conicious tatler of confummate blifs) — ^ NOTES. * Like a fpring-mead, ^f.] The word Aaj/xw» fig- nifies a meadow : and the Author takes occafion to play upon it, by faying, that Limona crowned herfelf with thefe flowers, to look like the meadow in which they grew, . . Still I om^i^tt lirf 25 LOVE EPISTLES Ep. IIL Still flufliM upon her check ; and well might (how The choicefl wreaths fiie'd made, how they (hould glow ; Might ev'ry fiow'r wLh kindred bloom o'erfpread. And tinge the vernal rofe with deeper red. Butccme, my friend, and fhare my happy lot 5— The bounteous Phyllion owns this blifsful fpot : Phyllion, whofe gen'rous care to all extends, And mofl is bkH while he can blcfs his friends. Then come, and quickly come; but with thee bring The nymph, whofe praifes oft I've heard thee fing The blooming Myrtala ; fhc'll not refufe To tread the folitude her fwain (hall chufe. Thy fight will all my bufy fchemes deftroy, ril dedicate another day to joy; When fecial converfe fliall the fcene improve. And fympathy beflow new charms on love. Then faall th' accuftom'd bank a couch be made ; Once more the nodding plane fhall lend its (hade; Once more I'll view Pomona's jovial throng; Once more the birds fhall raife the fprightly fong ; Again Ep.iil of ARIST^NETUS. Ao-ain the little ftream be taught to flow ; Again the little fleet its balm beftow ; Again I'll gaze upon Limona's charms, And fink tranfported in her quiv'ring arms; Again my cheek (hall glow upon her breaft ; Again flie'll yield, and I again be bleft. 27 , ^a< , I'm fure : * Then deign, bright charmer, deign to eafc * The torments I endure.' XV. Ep.IV. Of ARISTiENETUS. 33 XV. Aflent fat fmiling in her eyes ; Her lily hand he feiz'd 5 Nor feign'd (he very great furprife. Nor look'd fo much difpl'eas'd. XVI. —She blufh'd a little too, methought, As tho' (he Jhould iQfuCe : — But women, I've been told, are taught To blufli whene'er they chufe. XVIL Hippias was now quite hand in glove With Mifs, and firmly bent To take her to the bow'r of Love^ He whifper'd as he went— XVIII. « Well, Phil, fay now^ whofe judgment's heft ? * Was I fo very wrong ? < You faw, not eagerly I prefs'd, < Nor did I prefs her long. D XIX. 34 LOVE EPISTLES Ep.IV. XIX, * But you are ignorant, I fee, , * So follow, and improve : < For few, 1 ween, can teach like me * • The myfteries of Love.' Ep.V. of ARISTiENETUS. 35 EPISTLE V. THE EXPEDIENT. ALCIPHRON TO LUCIA N. I. T^ 'OTHER day Charidemus a feaft did prepare. And with all his acquaintances fill'd up the room: 'Mong the reft (for you know his tendrefle for the fair) Another man's wife he perfuaded to come. IL The guefts were all feated, when in comes our fpark Introducing to table a mufty old dad : Whom as foon as the lady had time to remark. To another apartment fte fcuttled like mad. NOTES. ^ • The writer here defcribes an ingenious device prac- tifedbya/tf^ of gallantry, to deceive a fufpicious huf. band. D2 III. l6 LOVE EPISTLES Ep. V, III. c Charidemus, faid (he, do you know what you've done? « That old fellow's my hufband juft now you * brought in : « I ihall here be difcover'd, as furc as a gun, * By the clokel puU'd off, and which hangs on a * pin. IV. t « But if you can aflift me, and privately fend * Thatcloketomyhoufe, with a difh of your meat; * iVe a trick that (hall quickly his jealoufy end ; * His fufpicions Til 'fcape, and his vigilance cheat.' V. Away then (he flipt, and got quick to her houfc. Then fent for a golTip, her help to implore ; And they'd fcarce fix'd their plan the old cuckold to choufe) When bluft'ring and fwearing he came to the door. VI. Ep.V. of ARISTiENETUS. 37 VL He cried, while he fought for his polgnafd to ftab her, * No more (hall you fliame me;— your cloke « (how'd your pranks.* — But while he was florming thus, in pops her neighbour The cloke to return to its owner with thanks. VII. • I'm come to acknowledge your favour, (he faid, « And fome prog from the f.aft have I brought * with me here : « I knew that at home all the ev nino- vou (laid, ' * So was willing to give you a tafle of our cheer/ The filly curmudgeon grew meek as a Iamb, On hearing this ftory, and feeing the meat ; For pardon he fued from his retrograde dame, And bow'd with contrition quite down to her feet. D3 IX. 3« LOVE EPISTLES Ep.V. IX. He vow'd that he ne'er would fufpe£l her again. If now fhe'd accept his moft humble fubmiffion ; And fworc Dian herfelf fent the old woman in. To (how him the folly oi groundlefs fufpicion. Ep.VL of ARlSTiENETUS. * E P I S T^L E VI. THE CONSOLATION. -f-HERMOCR AXES TO EUPHORION. 39 ■r«V J QAYS a girl to her nurfc, < IVe a tale to unfold, * Of utmoft concern to us both ; * But firft you muft fwear not to blab when you're * told.' — Nurfe greedily fwallow'd the oath. NOTES. * This epiftle dcfcribes the dillrefs of a girl who has been debauched, with the confolation of the good old iajo* man her nurfe. t The fubjea of this epiftle does not in the leaft regard the writer ; who, as in the preceding one, only entertains his correfpondent with a little tale, or amufing dcfcrip- tion. The cafe is the fame with many of the fubfequent ones. P4 IL 40 LOVE EPISTLES Ep. VI. Ep.vl of ARIST^NETUS, 41 IL ^ I've loft, my dear mother,* the innocent faid, < What (hould be a virgin's chief pride.' .1 wifli you had fecn what a face the dame made. And heard how (he blubber'd and cried. IIL < Hufh, for God's fake,' fays Mifs, in a whifpering ' tone, < The people will hear you within 5 J You have fworn to difcover my fecret to none, « Then why fuch a horrible din ? IV. < My Virtue long all oppofition withftood, « And fcorn'd at Love's efForts to flinch ; « It retreated at laft — but as flow as it could, • Difputing the ground inch by inch. V. ^ In vain to my aid did I Reafon invoke; * Young Cupid no reafon could quell : ^ He'd got root in my heart, and there grew like an * oak; ^ So I fell— but relu6lantly fell. VI. • Yet furely young Lyfias has charms to betray : < Too charming alas to be true ! ^ But you never heard the foft things he can fay— « Ah ! would I had ne'er heard them too : VII. « For now that the fpoiler has robb'd me of all * My innocent heart us'd to prize, ♦ He cruelly mocks at my tears as they fall— * The tears he has drawn from my eyes.' V, VIII. 42 LOVE EPISTLES Ep. VL VIII. ** YouVe play'd a fai game," cries the matron aghsft J ^* Befides you dlfgracc my grey head : «» But fince no reflections can alter what's pad, *^ Cbear up — there's no more to be faid» m IX. " Chear up, child^ I fayj why there's no fuch great *' crime : •' Sure /too have met with falfc men ; ** I've known what it was to be trick'd, in my time— *' Bat I know too — to trick them again. X. ♦ " But do fo no more : left, {hould you be rafh, " Your apron-fti ings publifh your tricks : ** Your fatlier, I hope, has a round fum of cafh. And loon on your hufband will fix. XL «i ^1 Ep.vl of aristjenetus. XL 43 « — Some innocent fwain (if fuch innocence be I) " UnfkiliM in the myft'ries of love ; " Whofe gallantry ne'er went 'yond Phyllis's knee, «' Or faft'ning the garter above. XII. *' My humble petition may Jupiter hear, *' And grant that you quickly may wed."— < So at prefent, dear mother, I've nothing to fear, * No tale-telling urchin to dread ?' — XIIL " YouVe fafe, my dear daughter, I fancy, as yet; ** And when at the altar you're tied, " I'll teach you a method your hufband to cheat <* For a virgin, as well as a bride." Ep. VII. LOVE EPISTLES. 45 *EPISTLE VII. THE DISAPPOINTMENT. L CYRTION TO DICTYS. I. ATE as upon the rocky {Irand Alone the death-barb'd bait I threw Juft as I tow'd a fifh to land. Which almoft broke my line in two — IL Comes a fair maid, whofe native bloom The tind of art excell'd as far. As the wild fruits of Nature's womb Beyond the hotbed's produce are. NOTES, * Epijili vii.]— A difagreeable end to a pleafing ren- counter. ' . III. 46 LOVE E PI STL.es Ep.VI[, IIL This prize is better than my fifh. Thought I — 'tis Aire a lucky Jay, * — I want to bathe. Sir, and I wiih * You'd watch my clothes while I'm away/ IV. ' Yes, yes, I eagerly replied, * In hopes her naked charms to fpy, * I'll watch your clothes, anJ by their fide ' My faithful litil- dog {hall lie' V. She bow 'J, and dofF'd her mantle blue; Good heav'ns ! what beauties (Iruck my fi^^ht : Thus Morn's fweet ruddy fkies I view, Frtfli from the mifl of lagging night. VL Bright polifli'd arms, a neck of faoWy Through locks of lovely jet were feen ; Whic h by their blacknefs feem'd to throw An added luflrc on her fidn. VIL Ep.VIL of ARIST.ENETUS. VIL Two rifmg globules at her breafl, Whofe fwelling throb was fuch. They feem'd upheaving to be prefl, And fued impatient for the touch. VIIL The wind was hufh'd, the fea was calm ; And in (heleap'd, and plow'd the ildc- Thefioth that bubbled as flie fwam, Loft all its whitencfs by her fide. • I*»-« But foon the wave's impetuous gufli Dafh'd o'er her form a crimfon hue ; She blufh'd — you've feen the rofebud blufli Beneath its morning coat of dew, Afkance (he view'd the wat'ry fpace. Her neck averted from the tide, As if old Ocean's cold embrace Would fliock her modcft virgin -pride. 47 XL 48 LOVE EPISTLES Ep.VIL XL Each preffing wave, that feem'd to toy With am'rous hafte her limbs to kifs* With coy rebuke (he patted by ; Rebuk'd — but never could difmifs. XIL Still as (he ftem'd her liquid way, . Thought I, a Nereid 'tis that laves : And when (he tir'd, and left her play, 'Twas Venus rifing from the waves. xiir. Then from her oozy bed fne fprung, And (hiv'ring on the bank rcclin'd, The while her dripping locks (he wrung, And fpread them to the fanning wind. XIV. Quick to prefent her clothes I rufh, And tow'rds her flrctch my lor.glng arms.- But (he repuls'd me with a blufh — A blufli that added to her charms. XV, Ep.VIL of ARIS TiENETUS. XV. Rage would have fparkled in her eyes i-* Yet ftill they twinkled lovely fwect : As funs in fartheft diftant (kies, Emit their light without their heat* XVL Her robe (he fnatch'd, and round her waift The azure mantle inftant threw. — « I'm forry, Sir, I'm in fuch hafte i * I thank you— but muft bid adieu,* XVIL I gently prefs'd her hand ;-«(he frovvn'd % Yet took (lie not her hand away : I k'lfs'd her hand — (he turn'd around To hide what confcious fmiles betray. XVIII. —At length (he broke my rod and net j Into the Tea my capture tofs'd ; Then left me vainly to regret The fi(h I'd caught, and her I loft. 49 Ep. VIIL LOVE EPISTLES* Sr EPISTLE VIIL ♦ FROM THE GROOM OF A KNIGHT IN LOVE. ECHEPOLUS TO MELESIPPUS* /^ ! The grace, the art to rein Fiery courfers round the plain I See — yon valiant hero ride, Skill'd with either hand to guide : See how beautiful, and ftrong ! See how fwift he glides along ! Notes. * Tnis is an odd fubje^. — While a gentleman was rid- ing on horfe back, his groom, Uruck with his beaQty, was exclaiming that fure fo glorious a form could never have been in love. This the mailer overhears, and informs his groom to the contr ry ; who writes an account of the tranf- a^tion to his friend. Ea • Sure »*t ^■■— s* ' LOVE EPISTLES Ep. VIIL « Sure fell Cupid's arrowy ftorm * Ne'er affail'd that blooming form.-* < No— 'tis fure Adonis fair, < All the nymph's peculiar care.* Speaking thus, the cavalier Chanc'd my words to overhear.— Hufh,' faid he, « thy words are vain : Love alone can guide the rein. Love impels thro' me the fteed. Nerves my arm, and fires my fpeed : Quick as light'ning tho' we run. Still dread Cupid urges on. Mount yon car, begin thy ftrain: Songs bed fuit the lover's pain.' I fubmitted and from him Took at once the fudden theme. * Little reck'd I, haplcfs lord, • Cupid's (haft thy heart had gor'd : « If fo fair a form as thine « Can with hopelefs paflicn pine. By Ep. Vm. OF ARISTiENETUS. * By the Cyprian queen I fwear, * All the Loves fell tyrants are. * Yet be't thine to brave the fmart, * J3oldly bear the tingling dart : ' Well might they difturb your reft, * * Who could pierce their mother's breaft.' 53 NOTES, • f^^o couici pierce, ^c] * Et majores tuos irreverenter pulfafti toties, et ipfam matrem tuam, me inquam ipfam, parricida, denudas quotidie.' Apol.Mil. v. ^3 5» ' LOVE EPISTLES Ep.vm. « Sure fell Cupid's arrowy ftorm < Ne'er aflaird that blooming form.-^ i No— 'tis Aire Adonis fair, « All the nymph's peculiar care/ Speaking thus, the cavalier Chanc'd my words to overhear. — « Hu{h,' faid he, « thy words are vain : * Love alone can guide the rein. • « Love impels thro' me the fteed, « Nerves my arm, and fires my fpeed : < Quick as light'ning tho' we run, * Still dread Cupid urges on. « Mount yon car, begin thy drain: « Songs beft fuit the lover's pain.' I fubmitted and from him Took at once the fudden theme. « « Little reck'd I, haplcfs lord, « Cupid's (haft thy heart had gor'd : « If fo fair a form as thine « Can with hopelefs paflicn pine, « By Ep.vm. OF ARIST^NETUS. * By the Cyprian queen I fwear, * All the Loves fell tyrants are. * Yet be't thine to brave the fmart, ' J3oldly bear the tingling dart : * Well might they difturb your reft, * * Who could pierce their mother's breaft.' S3 NOTES. • fF^o could pierce, ^r.] < Et majores tuos irreverenter pulfafti toties, ct ipfam matrem tuam, me inquam ipfam, parricida, denudas quotidie.' Apol.Mil. v. E3 Ep. IX. LOVE EPISTLES. 55 •EPISTLE IX. THE SLIP. STESICHORUS TO ERATOSTHENES. A Lady walking in the ftreet Her lover lately chanc'd to meet: But dar'd not fpeak when he came nigh. Nor make a fign, nor wink her eye. Left watchful fpoufe (hould fee or hear :— And fervants too were in the rear.— • A plea (he fought to ftop his walk, To touch his hand, to hear him talk : NOTES. • Ep'ijik ix.] contains the llratagem of a lady who wanted to /peak to her lover in the prefence of her hufband and fervants. E4 A plea j6, LOVE EPISTLES Ep.TX. A plea {he fought, nor fought in vain : A lucky fchemc infpir'd her brain. Juft as they met, (he feign*d to trip. And fprain her ancle in the flip. The lover ready at his cue, Sufpcded what fhe had in view ; And as he pafs'd at little diftance, OiHcious ran to her afliftance. Contrived her flender waift to feize. And catch her fnowy hand in his. With unexpe£led raptures fill'd. Thro' all their veins Love inftant thrill'd ; ' Their limbs were palfied with delight. Which feem*d the trembling caus'd by frights Feigning coiidolance, he drew near And fpoke his paffion in her ear : While fhe to ad the real ftrain, Affedls to writhe and twift with pain : A well- concerted plan to kifs The hand her lover touch'd with his : Then, Ep.IX. of ARISTiENETUS. Then, looking amoroufly fly. She put it to her jetty eye ; But rubb'd in vain to force a tear Might feem the genuine fruits of fear. ^1 f 57 Ep.x. love epistles. 59 •EPISTLE X. I" ACONTIUS AND CYDIPPE. ERATOCLEA TO DIONYSIS. T O NG bufFetted by adverfe fate. The viaim of Di^na^s hate, At laft the blcfl Amiius led Cydlppc to the bridal bed. Ne'er had been form'd by Nature's care 5o lovely, fo complete a pair. N o T F s, * Epijflex,] This Is an epiftolary narration of the Jovesof Jcontius and Cydippe.^Acontius was a youth of the ifleof 6>/7, who going to Delos during the foleninities ^i Diana, h\\ in love with Cydippe ; and being inferior to her in vvellth and rank, he there praaifed thedec3it which is the fubjea of this epiflle. -We find the flory in Ovid. And 6o LOVE EPISTLES Ep.X * And truth to that belief gave rife. That fimilarities (o nice, By de{llny*s impullive a^Sb Each other mutually attra£l. On fair Cydippe, Beauty's queen Had lavifli'd all her magazine : f From all her charms the magic ceft Referv'd, and freely gave the reft : That ceft, not fit for mortal bodies. Her own prerogative as goddefs ; And but for which diftindion, no man Could know th' immortal from the woman. In three, like Hefiod, to comprifc The graces fparkling in her eyes. Ep.x. of ARIST/ENETUS. 6t NOTES. And truth y ^r.] « / » a > « \ e / • • - otjiokov ayu ijsoq ax; Tov o/xoioi'* f From all her charms, ^r.] Homer tells us of this ma- gic girdle belonging to Venus : which made the perfon who wore it the objed of univerfal love, aud which Juno once borrowed to deceive Jupiter, Were Were idle : fince to count them all, A thoufand were a fum too fmall. Nor were his eyes devoid of light. Bold and yet modeft, fweet tho' bright : Whilft health and glowing vigour fpread His downy cheek with native red. Numbers from ev'ry quarter ran To fee this mafter- piece of man : Crouds at the Forum might you meet ; — And if he did but crofs the ftreet, Th' applauding train his fteps purfu'd. And prais'd and wonder'd as they view'd. Such was th' accomplifti'd youth, whofe breaft The fair Cydippe robb'd of reft* And 'twas but juftice, that the fwain For whom fo many figh'd in vain. Should feel how exquifite the fmart That rankles in a lover's heart.— So Cupid, throwing to the ground His fhafts that tickle while they wound, Aim'd 6a LOVE EPISTLES Ep.X. AimM at the youth with all his ftrength An arrow of a wond'rous length : Kis aim, alas \\ was all too true : - Quick to its goal the weapon flew.— But when Jtonlius felt the blow, What language can exprefs his woe ? * The fair one's heart he vow'd to move. Or end at once his life and love. While he who fhot fo keen a dart. The god of ftratagem and art, Aw'd haply by his graceful mien, Fraught him with wiles the fair to win. Thus while at Diatis hallowM fane, Cydippe joinM the maiden train : Tow'rds her attendant's feet he roll'd (InfcribM with charaders of gold) NOTES. * Th: fair one's henrt, Cffc.J Auc ego figajos repetam t€ conjuge portus, Aut ego Tsenaria contegar exulhumo*' Ovid* An Ep.x. of ARIST^NETUS.- 63 An apple of Cydonian fiem : (Love's garden rais'd the budding gem.) The girl immediate feiz'd the prize, Admir'd its colour and its fize: Much wond'ring from what virgin's zone 5o fair a pris'ner could have flown. « 'Tis fure,' faid fhc, < a fruit divine ; « But then, what means this my flic line ? < Cydipfe^ fee, jufl: now I found * This apple ; view how large, how round : « See, how it fliames the rofe's bloom : ' And fmell its exquifite perfume. * And, dearefl miflrefs, tell me, pray, * The meaning which thefe words cooveyf The blufbing fruit Cydippe ey'd^ Then read th' infcription on its fide. * By chafle Diana's facred head, * I fwear I will Jconiius wed.* ■ Thus vow'd fhe at the hallow'd fhrine, Tho' rafhly, tho' without dcfign ; And 64 LOVE EPISTLES Ep. X* And utter'd not for modeft dread The laft emphatic word, to wed. ♦ Which but to hear, much more to fpeak, With blulhes paints a virgin's cheek* Ah ! cries the half-diftraaed fair, « Dhna fure has heard me fwear : « Yes, favour'd youth, without difputc • She has affented to thy fuit.' He the meanwhile from day to day In ceafelefs anguifti pin'd away.— His tears ufurpM the place of fleep ; For (hame forbad all day to weep. Sickly and thin his body grew : His cheeks had loft their ruddy hue. Thoufand pretences would he feign. To loiter on the lonely plain : NOTES. • Which but to hear, ^^.j Nomine conjugii difto, confufa pudore Seiifi me totis erubuiffe genis. Ovid. Striving Ef.X. of ARISTiENETUS. Striving moft eagerly to fly The keennefs of his father's eye. Oft with the morn's firft beam he'd leave His tear-bath'd couch ; and to deceive His friend's concern, fome untouch'd book^ As ftudious bent, the lover took : Then to the grove, the peaceful grove. Where filence yields full fcope to love. Thus from their hard attention freed. He wept unfought, ytt fanCd to read. Thither if chance his father drew. And bared the wand'rer to his view. Knowledge he thought the ftripling's aim, A laudable defire for fame j And ev'ry figh his forrow brought. The old man conftrued into thought 5 Or if he wept,— as tears would flow,— He only wept at others woe. H Still 66 LOVE EPISTLES Ep.X. Still too, when plcafant evening came. And others fought the frolic game. Still was his wont to fhun the fcaft. To feign that angling pleas'd him heft ;— Then bufy with his rod and hook, He fought fome foUtary brook. But ye were fafe, ye finny brood. And fafely ftemm'd your native flood ; Secure around his float to glide. And dalh th' unbaited hook afidc. Yet ftill 'twas folitude ! and he Muft give his folitude a plea : Beficles, the pofture pleas'd, for grief In humbleft poftures finds relief: True love the fupplianfs bend will pleafe. And forrow unreftrain'd is cafe. His friends, who found he fled the town, Concluded him a farmer grown; 67 IL And Ep.X* of ARIStiENETUS. And call'd him, ^n derifion pleafant, . LaerteSy or the new made peafant.— But he, fad lover, little made The vines his care, or ply'd the fpade ; Little he cared how fped the bower. And little mark'd the drooping flower. But wandVing through the bufhy brake. Thus in bewilder'd accents fpake, # .... ^ O ! that each pine, and fpreading beech Were bleft with Reafon and with Speech ! So might they evermore declare Cydippe faireft of the fair. At leaft, ye thickets, will I mark Her lovely name upon your bark. O dear infpirer of my pain, Let not thy oath be fwot-n in vain : Let not the goddefs find that thou Haft dar'd to falfify a vow. With vengeance ev'ry crime fhe threats, But never perjury forgets. F 2 • Yet, 68 LOVE EPISTLES Ep. X. « Yet, not on thee the fatal meed. « 'TisI, who caus'd thy crime, (hould bleed.— < On me then, Diauy vent thine ire, * And let her crime with me expire. « But tell me, lofty groves, O tell c Ye feats where feather'd warblers dwell, t Can Love your knotty bofoms reach, « And burns the cyprefs for the beech ? ' Ah— no— ye never feel the fmart ; c Ne'er Cupid pierc'd that ftubborn heart. c Think ye, your worthlefs leaves, yc trees, « His mighty anger could appeafc ? c ^No— filly woods ! his ample fire, « Above your branches could afpire ; « Upon the very trunk would prey, < And burn your hardeft root away.* Meantime, a happier lover's arms Prepared to clafp Cydippis charms. Already Ep.X. of ARISTiENETUS. Already had the virgin throng . Atlun'd their Hymeneal fong— • Strike ye now the golden lyre, < Modulate the vocal choir'-^ But hark I — what horrid fhrieks arife ? Cydtppe faints Cydippe dies. The bridal pomp, .alas ! is fled ; Funeral founds are heard inftead. — Yet foft — (he lives — fhe breathes again, * Louder faife the nuptial flrain.' A fecond time the fever burns : A fecond time her health returns. Again the marriage torches blaze— Again Cydippe s bloom decays. No longer will her fire await The fourth avenging fi:roke of fate ; But of the Pythian ftirine demands. What God oppos'd the nuptial bands ? Phoebus at once reveal'd the truth. The vow, the apple, and the youth.-— F3 69 Told 7> LOVE EPISTLES Ep.X, Told him, her oath the maid muft keep, Or nc*cr would Dians vengeance fleep. Then added thus the god, < Whene'er < Jconttus gains the blooming fair : « Not filver (hall be join'd with lead— * But gold the purcft gold (hall wed/ So fpoke th« flirine divinely (kiird-»- Cydlppe foon ber vow fulfill'd \ No clouds of ficknefs intervene To darken the delightful fcenc.— * While ftriking with direSivc hand^ A virgin led the choral band ; Attentive to each warbling throat. She chided each difcordant note. Others their hands applaufive beat. Like cymbals foqnding as they meet. But ill Acontiui brook'd their noifc— • JJe figh'd for more fubftantial joys. Ne'er Ef.X. of ARISTiENETUS. 71 Ne'er had he feen fo long a day : Night never pafs'd fo quick away. The fun had gain'd its fummit, e'er Acontiui left the rifled fair : But firft her cheek he kifs'd, whilft (he Difllmbled fleep thro' modefty j But well her tell-tale blufhes fpake The confcious nymph was dill awake. Alone at length, fhe rais'd her head And blulhing view'd the bridal bed ; Then with chafte rapture, hanging o'er The place Aconiiui prefs'd before, « Proted^, ye powers divine, (he faid, * Proteft the wife, who led the maid i * And O ! be doubly kind to him * Who muft be now Cydlppis theme, * And thou, chafte Hymen^ who doft guide < The fteps of each untainted bride, < Teach me what fits I ftiould be taught, * Nor let me wander e'en in thought. F4 « So 72 LOVE EPISTLES Ep.X. « So may your altars ever burn, « So may each day like this return ; • And ev'ry night'-Speak, trifler, fpeak,— Whence virgin bluflies on thy cheek ? « And ev'ry night'— (he hung her head- Be crown'd like this, {he-w««Whave faid. Ep.xi. of ARISTJENETUS. 73 • E P I S T L E XI. THE ARTFUL MAlb. PHILOSTRATUS TO EUAGORAS. I. A Lady thus her maid addrefs'd. — < Like you the beauteous youth, < On whom I doat, in whom I'm blcft, * I charge you, tell me truth. IL < Or is't my love that paints him fair, * And all my fancy warms ? * For lovers oft deceived are, * And prize ideal charms. NOTES. • EpiflU xi.] A Lady enquires whether the man flic loved was really beautiful; her in^d Hatters^ and afiures her of it, IIL -J n LOVE EPISTLES Ep.XL in. ^ But fay, the fwain whom I admire^ * Do other women praifc ? * Do they behold him with defire, < Or view with fcornful gaze ?* IV. The gir! replied, who faw her cue. Deep leam'd in flatt'ry's lore, * They all is beauty praife witf you, • With you they all adore. V, *< Behold/' they cry, << that form divine ** The fculptor's art (hould trace, « To bid the buft ♦ of Hermes fliine " With evVy manly grace." NOTES. VL • To hid the hufty l^c ] The ancient fculptors ufcd to copy the face of Hermis or Mercury from that oi AUibiadesj 4 who Ep.XI. of ARIST^NETUS. 75 VL * I've heard them praife his arche4 nofc^ * And praife his auburn hair } • That fpreading o'er his forehead grows < To make his face more fair. VIL ■in < I've heard them praife his ftature high, < And praife his manly fenfe ; « I've heard them praife ! — and fure, thought I, « 'Tis Love gives eloquence. VIIL * His very drefs has merit too, * Where tafte with art agrees : • For tho' it is not always new, * It never fails to pleafe.— NOTES. who was reckoned the moft beautiful model : * but * now,* fays the maid^ * women think your lover fupe- * rior to him.' IX. f i' . I 7& L O V E E P I S T L E S Ep. XL IX. « ♦ Bleft," will they fay, « thrice Weft the fair «< For whom his heart fhall burn : <« Who (hall a mutual ardour fhare, *< And all his love return. X. « On her the Graces fure have fmil'd « With moft propitious eye." « Thus the whole fex with paffion wild w « For the fame objed figh.' XI. But while the crafty maid arrang'd His charms in faireft light : Full oft the lady's colour chang'd With raptures exquifite. NOTES. • Blefl will, tff.] Ergo mecaftor, pulcher eft, inquit mihi, Et liberalis. Vide ca.faries quam dccet : Nje illae font fortunatae quae cum illo, &c. PlautuS Milite. . XII. Ep.XI. of ARISTyENETUS XII. Convinc'd his grace was not ideal Which all her fex could fire. For women know that beauty real. When all who fee, admire. 77 ep.xii. love epistles. n * * E P I S T L E XIL THE ENRAPTURED LOVER. EUHEMERUS TO LEUCIPPUS. TTT I T H E R, ye travellers whoVc known The beauties of the eaftern zone. Or thofe who fparkle in the weft: Hither— O tell, and truly tell. That few can equal, none excel The fair who captivates my brcaft. IL NOTES. » EpiJ^le xii.] A lover here fummons all the judges of beauty to decide in favour of his miftrefs. The libertine digrcffion with which it concludes muft be morally inter- preted, 8q LOVE EPISTLES Ep. Xlli 11. Survey her In whatever light- New beauties ftill engage your fight : Nor does a fingle fault appear. Momus might fearch, and fearch again, But all his fearches would be vain. To find occafion for a fneer. III. Her height, her (hape-'tis all complete j And e'en remarkable her feet For taper fize, genteelly flim.— And little feet each lover knows Impart a ftriking charm to thofe Who boaft no other graceful limb, NOTES. preted, as meant to ihow into what extravagance a man Ly be led by an attachment, whofe foandation xs m Vice. IV. Ep.XII. of ARISTjENETUS. 8i> IV. But not her beauties only ftrike— Her pleafmg manners too I like : From thefe new ftrength my paflion gaihs* for tho' her challity be gone. She deals deceitfully by none ; And ftill fome modefty remaintj V. And ftill may Pythias make pretence To fomething much like innocence. Which forges all my chains to laft : Whate'er you give, fhe turns to praife : tJnlike the harlot's odious ways, Who fnoers at prefents e'er fo vaft« VI; We like two thrufhes on a fpray, Together fit, together play ; G But LOVE EPISTLES Ep. XIL But telling would our pleafures wrong. ♦ —Suffice it, Pythias will oppofe My wanton paffion, till it grows By oppofition doubly ftrong. VIL Her neck ambrofial fweets exhales ; Her kifles like Arabian gales The fcent of mufky flowers imparl And I reclining on her breaft. In flumbers, happy flumbers reft, Rock'd by the beating of her heart ! VIIL « Oft have I heard the vulgar fay. That abfence makes our love decay, NOTES. • Suffice it, 'dc] Qax cum ita pugnaret tanquam quae vincere nollet, Viaa eft non xgre proditione fua. Ovid. Ep.XIL of ARISTiENETUS. And friends are friends but while in view 83 But abfence kindles my defire j It adds frefh fuel to the fire Which keeps my heart for ever true. IX. And O ! may Fate my thanks receive, In that it forc'd me not to leave The fair in whom my foul is plac'd.- • With truth my cafe did Homer write ; For ev'ry time with new delight My oft repeated joys I tafte. X. Sure this Is joy —true native joy ! Which malice never can deftroy, NOTES. • inth truth, ISc,"] * A^waVio* AexT^'Oio wa^«»8 $«7'w&v iWovTo*' HoM, IL. "^^ An4 G2 Nor \ 84 LOVE EPISTLES Ep.Xiti Nor holy (hackled fools receive. Free joys I which from ourfelvcs muft flovr j Such zs/ree fouls alone can know And unchain' d Love alone can give. XL But fay, ye prudes ! ye worthlefs tribe ! Who fwear no gifts could ever bribe Tour hearts fweet virtue to forfake— What is this treafure which ye boaft ? Ye vaunt becaufe you have not loft —What none had charity to take. XIL Myrina carries on her back An antidote to Love's attack ; Yet ftill at Pythias will (he fnecr. And as my love is pafling by, Chryfis diftorts her fingle eye With looks of fcorn, and virtuous fear. XIIL Ep.XIL of ARISTiENETUS. 85 XIIL Philinna fcofFs at Pythias too, •—Yet (he is handfome it is true :-^ But then her heart's a heart of fteel ; Incapable of all defire. She ridicules Love's facred fire. And mocks the joys (he cannot feel. XIV. Yet this is Virtue ! woman's pride ! From which if once (lie ftep afide. Her peace, her fame's for ever gone ! —Away ! 'tis impious fatyr fays That woman's good, and woman's praif« Coniift in chajlity alone. XV. Can one (hort hour of native joy Nature't inherent good deftroy ? G 3 And 86 LOVE EPISTLES Ep. XIL And pluck all feeling from within ? Since man fcems formed to deceive. Is to have paflions,— and believe. So very, very great a fin ? XVI. Did gentle Pity never move The heart once led aftray by Love ? Was Poverty ne'er made its care ? Did Gratitude ne'er warm the bread Where guilty joy was held a gueft ? Was Charity ne'er harbour'd there ? XV IT. Does coy Sincerity difclaim The ncighb'rhood of a lawlefs flame ? " Does Truth with fame and fortune fall ? Does cv'ry tim'rous virtue fly With that cold thing— call'd Cbaftity ? —And has my Pythias loft them all ? ',1. 1 Ep.XIL of ARISTiENETUS. XV TIL xviir. No ! No ! — In thee my life, my foul, I fwear I can comprife the whole Of all that's good as well as fair ; And tho* thou'ft loft what fools call Fame, Tho* branded with a harlot's name. To me thou flialt be doubly dear. XIX. Then whence thefe fetters for defire ? Who made thefe laws for Cupid's fire ? Why is their rigour fo uncommon ? Why is this honour-giving plan So much extoll'd by tyrant man. Yet binding only to poor woman ? XX. Search not in Nature for the caufe : — Nature difclaims fuch partial laws. G4 87 'Tis V LOVE EPISTLES Ep.XII, « 'Tis all a creature of th' imagination ; 3y frozen prudes invented firft, Pr h^gs with uglincfs accurft ■ . ■ A phantom of our own creation ! XXI. Two claffes thus my Pythias, (hew Their infolence to fcofF at you : Firft— they who've paflions giv'n by Nati;r? } Put as the tafk of fame is hard, They've bleft Deformity to guard Grim Virtue in each rugged feature; xxir. yVnd fecond they, who neither kpow What Paffion means, nor Love can do ; Yet dill for abftinence they preach ^ Whllft Envy, rankling in the breaft. Inflames them, feeing others bleft. To curfe the joys they cannot reach. XXIII. Ep.XII. of ARIST-^NETUS, $9 XXIII. f»Tot but there are— tho' but a few ! With charms, with love — and virtue too :-^ But Malice never comes from them ! With charity they judge of all. They weep to fee a woman fall. And pity where they moft condemn, XXIV. If, Pythias f then thou'ft done amifs, This is thy crime, and only this ;-»-* That Nature gave thee charms to move| Gave thee a heart to joy inclined, ^ave thee a fympathetic mind. And gave a foul attun'd to love. XXV. Wben Malice feoffs, then, Pythias, why pliftens abafh'd thy tearful eye ? Why 90 LOVE EPISTLES Er, XIL Why glows thy cheek that fhould be gay ? For tho' from {hame thy forrows gu{h, Tho' confcious guilt imprints the blufb. By heav'ns, thou'rt modefter than they; XXVI. But let them fcofF, and let them fnecr— ] heed them not, my love, I fwcar: Nor ihall they triumph in thy fall : ril kifs away each tear of woe, Hid by my breaft thy cheek (hall glow, And Love (hall make amends for all. I Ep.XIIL of ARISTiENETUS. 91 •EPISTLE XIII. THE SAGACIOUS DOCTOR^ EUTYCHOBULUS TO ACESTODORUS. T7 O R T U N E, my friend, I've often thought Is weak, if Art affift her not : So equally all Arts are vain. If Fortune help them not again : They've little luftre of their own If feparate, and view'd alone — But NOTES. • Epiftle xiil.] This is the ftory oi Antiochu$ and ^deu- cu5\ but related in Arifl^netus under difTerent names. Sekucus was one of Alexander's fucceflbrs in ^Jia^ having Syria for his kingdom : he married Siratonke^ daughter to Demetrius^ having had, by a former marriage, a fon named Antiochus, Stratotiice was the moil beautiful and accompliJicd _-=■■ ■— ■ 92 LOVE EPISTLES Ep. XIIL But when together they unite. They lend each other mutual light.— i— But fince all fymphony feems long To thofe impatient for the fong. And left my apothegms ftiould fail I'll hafte to enter on my tale. Once on a time, (for time has been When men thought neither fhame nor fin, To keep, befides their lawful fpoufes, A buxom filly in their houfes) KOT E s. accomplilhed princefsof her time ; and unhappily infpircd her fon-in-law with the mofl ardent paffion :— he fell fick ; and Seleucus was in the greatefl defpair, when Erafiftratus, one of his phyficians, difcovercd the caufe of the prince's malady, and, by his addrefs, prevailed on the king to favc his fon's life, by refigning to him his wife, though he paf- ^onately loved her« Om:t 5Ep. XIII. OF ARISTiENETUS. Once on a time then, as I faid, A hopeful youth, well-born, well-bred, Seiz'd by a flame he could not hinder. Was fcorch'd and roafted to a cinder. For why, the caufe of all his pain Was, that he fear'd all hope was vain : —In fhort, the youth muft needs adore The nymph his father lov'd before. * His father's miftrefs ?'— even fo. And fure 'twas caufe enough for woe. In mere defpair he kept his bed. But feign'd fome illnefs in its ftead. His father griev'd at his condition. Sends poft for an expert phyfician. The do£lor comes — confults his pulfe— • No feverifli quicknefs — no convulfe; Obferves his looks, his fkin, his eye— No fymptoms there of malady ; — At leaft of none within the knowledge Of all the Pharmaceutic college. 93 Long 'J»W».1W^ X 94 LOVE EPISTLES Ep. XIII. Long did our Galen wond'ring ftand, Refli ding on the cafe in hand.— • Thus as he paus'd ; came by the fair. The caufe of all his patient's care. — Then his pulfe beat quick and high : Glow'd his cheek, and roU'd his eye. Alike his face and arm confeft The confli^. laboring in his breaft. Thus chance reveal'd the hidden fmart. That baffled all the fearch of art. Still paus'd the dodor to proclaim The luckily-difcover'd flame : But made a fecond inquifition To fatisfy his new fufpicion. From all the chambers, ev'ry woman. Wives, maids, and widows did he fummon 5 And one by one he had them led In order by the patient's bed. He the meanwhile flood watchful nigh, And felt his puife, and mark'd his eye; (For Ep.xiil of arist^netus. (For by the pulfe phyficians find The hidden motions of the mind;) While other girls walk'd by attradivc. The lover's artVy lay inadive : But when his charmer pafsM along. His pulfe beat doubly quick and ftrong. Now all the malady appear'd : Now all the dodor's doubts were cleared j Who feign'd occafion to depart To mix his drugs, confult his art : He bid the father hope the beft. The lover fet his heart at reft, Then took his fee, and went away. But promis'd to return next day. Day came — the family environ With anxious eagernefs our Chiron. But he repuls'd them rough, and cried, * Ne'er can my remedy be tried.' The father humbly queftion'd, why They might not ufe the remedy ? 95 Th* »'- ■ i t -awp-T^ j * . "I. ,6 LOVE EPISTLES tr.^lti, i Th' enrag'd phyfician nought would fayi' But earneft feemM to hade away — Th' afflided fire more humble yet is. Doubles his oflFers, pray'rs, intreaties— • While he, as if at laft compell'd To fpeak what better were with-held, In anther cried — * Your fon muft perifh-* » My wife alone his life can cherifh— < On her th' adult'rer doats— and I « My rival's hated fight would fly/ The fire was now alike diftreft. To fave his boy, or hurt his gueft : Long ftruggled he 'twixt love and fliame j At laft parental love o'ercame. And now he begs without remorfe His friend to grant this laft refource : Intreats him o'er and o'er t' apply This hard, but only remedy. « What, proftitute my wife !' exclaims Tlfedodtor, « pimp for lawkfs flames ?'— Yet ■til Ep.XIIL of ARISTiENETUS. V , Yet ftill the father teaz'd and preft j— * O grant a doating fire's requeft ! ' The nece/Jary cure permit, * And make my happinefs complete.* Thus did the doctor's art and care ' The anxious parent's heart prepare : And found him trying long and often The term adultery to foften. — He own'd, * that cuftom Aire enough. Had made it found a little rough : But then, faid he, we ought to trace The fource and caufes of the cafe. All prejudice let's lay afide, i And taking Nature for our guide. We'll try with candour to examine On what pretence this fafhion came in.' Then much he talk'd of man's firft ftate, (A copious fubjed for debate I) Of choice and inftin£l then difputcg. With many parallels to brut« ; H 97 All M 98 LOVE EPISTLES Ep.XIIL All tending notably to prove. That inftina: was the law of Love :-^ In fhort, that Nature gave us woman. Like earth and air, to hold in common. Then learned authors would he quote, Philofophers of fpecial note. Who only thought their dames ^orth feeding, As long as they held out for breeding ; And when employ'd in ftudious courfes. Would let them out, as we do horfes. Laft followed a facetious query. To rank the fex naturafera. The do£lor, when the fpeech was clos'djj Confefs'd he was a little pos'd. Then looking impudently grave, * And how would you/ faid he, * behave ? « Would you part freely with your wifCf « To fave a friend's expiring life ?' H Ep.XIIL OF ARISTiENE TUS. * By Jove, I'd zS: as I advife,* The father eagerly replies. — ^ Then,' cries the doftor, ^ I have done- * Intreat yourfelf to fave your fon. * He loves your girl— can you endure * To work the necejfary cure ? * If it were juft that I fhould give * My wife to caufe a friend to live j * You furely may beftow with joy ^ Your miftrefs, to preferve your boy,* 99 I Ha -(•a^-BMBB^—Bn-a tv.itlV. LOVE EPISTLES, let • EPISTLE XIV. THE PROVIDENT SHEPHERDESS. PHltEMATIUM TO EUMUStrS. I. TTENCE ! hence! ye fongfters, hence! ye idle train ! Vain is the fong, the pipe's foft warbling vain : In me nor joy thy ftrains infpire. Nor pafHon can thy nun^bers move } The thrills of the refounding lyre To me are not the thrills of Love.— For I know well to value gold aright j I fcorn a paflion — while its gifts are light. NOTES. • £/>i/Ie xiv.] This letter is from a girl to her lovers^ who courted her with mufic inflead of money. H3 11. lot LOVE EPISTLES Ep. Xm IL PufFnot your cheeks, fond youths! difmifs the flute ; Hufh't be the harp, the foft guittar be mute : Or hie, where penfive Echo fits Moping the lonely rocks among ; She'll liften to your chanting fits. Applaud, and pay you fong for fong« But I know well to value gold aright. And fcorn a paffion while its gifts are light, IIL Do, good Charmldes, flop thy tuneful tongue | And friendly Lyclas truft not to thy fong. There is a found— and well you know That found I never heard from thec— The fmalleft clink of which, I vow, Is fweeteft harmony to me. For I've been taught to value gold aright. And fcorn a paffion while ks gifts are light. Ep.XIV. of ARISTJENETUS. i03 IV. Why do your vows in tuneful numbers flow ? Why urge the joys I do not wifli to know ? Say, youth, can thy poetic fire Make folly pleafant to the ear ? Can thy foft notes, and foothing lyre. Make oaths, and lover^s oaths finccre ? Go ! go ! I know to value gold aright. And fcorn a paflion while its gifts are light. V; Soft is thy note 1 grant 'tis foft 5 Sweet is thy lay but I have heard it oft ; And will thy piping ne'er difguft. When all the novelty is paft ? Your fl:ock wiU fail — you know it muft: And fweeteft founds will tire at laft. Then now's the time to value gold aright. To fcorn a paflion while its gifts are light. IV- H 4 VL 104 LOVE EPISTLES Ep. XlVi VL When the cold hand of age has datnp'd thy fire, Unftrung thy harp, and hufli'd th' unheeded lyre ;— ft Say, will thy tunclefs crazy voice Keep chilling penury away ? Will memVy lead us to rejoice Becaufe, poor bard, thou ona could'ft play I No ! No ! Then Hill I'll value gold aright. And flill the lover fcorn whofe gifts are light. Then hence ! ye fongftcrs, hence ! ye idle train ! Vain is the fong, the pipe's foft warbling vain : No idle triflings captivate this breaft j Produce your money — I'll cxcufe the reft. PufFnot your cheeks, fond youths ! difmifsthc flute, HuDi'd be the harp, the foft guittar be mute : Such figns of paffion in contempt I hold :— But there's fubftantial proof of love— in gold. I know Ep.XIV. of ARISTiENETCJS. loi I know you fancy me an eafy fool. Raw, and undifciplin'd in Venus' fchool $ A thoughtlefs viftim, whom a fong could move,' And each fond lay infpire with throbs of love: Deluded fwains ! but vain do ye opine-—' Know, the whole fcience of Intrigue is mine. A dame, experienc'd in the myftic art. Taught me to play with ableft fkill my part : Taught me to laugh at fongs, and empty ftrainsi And taught how Cupid (hone — in golden chains^ My fifter too, and all her am'rous train Tutor'd my youth,— nor were their leflTons vain. Full oft her fuitors hath flie frankly told, * Your aim is beauty, firs, and mine is— gold : • Each other's wants let's mutually fupply/— ^ 'Twas thus my fifter fpokc, — and thus fpeak L With her, I laugh at Cupid's batter'd name. With her, I mock what fools call gerCram flame \ With her, my theme's to value gold aright, And fcorn a palfion while its gifts are light. tt.XV. LOVE EPIStLES. 07 •EPISTLE XV. THE FORCE OF LOVE. APHRODISIUS tO LYSIMACHUS. L O V E, or of force, or of perfuafion. Avails him as beft fuits th' occafion : And all, who've felt his tingling dart. Will own its conqueft o'er the heart. Love can the thirft of blood afluage. And bid the battle ceafe to rage : Quell the rude difcord, and compofc To peace the moft determin'd foes. Vain is the lance, and vain the fhield. And vain the wide embattled field j NOTES, • E/>ifili XV, A narrative. Vaia I to8 LOVE EPISTLES Et.XV, Vain the long military train. And Mars with all his terrors vain. Cupid his ftubborn angry foul Can with a little fhaft controul. Each champion, who with fury brave Would ftem war's moft deftruaive wave, Without a ftroke, to Love will yield. And quit at once his ufelefs fhield.-^ T' enfure your credit to my text, A cafe in point is here annext. Two cities of no mean eftate, Miletus this, and Myus that. Had long in mutual confli6ls bled. While Commerce droop'd with languid head. And only while MsUtus kept Diana's feaft, the conteft flept : A folemn truce was then allow'd :• At Dian's (brine each city bow'd.- And, 'till the feftive revels ceafe, 'Twas nought but harmony and peace. Then Ep.XV. OF ARIST^NETUS. 109 Then gleams th^ hoflile blade again. And reeking gore manures the plain. But Venus little could fuftain That Difcord (hould eternal reign ^ So clos'd for ever their difpute ; And thus (he found thp means to do't. Froin Myus to Miletus came A girl (Pieria was her name,) Bright as the morn fhe was by nature. And Venus now retouch'd each feature. Then, at what time the facred train Attended at Dianas fane j The prince of the Miletiam came And faw the maid, and felt the flame. And foon the prince his love addrefs'd, « Speak, charmer, fpeak thy firft requeft ? f Whate'er thy wifti, whate'er thy want, ^ Be't mine to make a double grant.' .\l But I iid LOVE EPISTLES Ep. XV. » But thee, fair maid, fupreme in mind As well as charms o'er womankind. No idle choice feduc'd afide. No giddy wi(h, no hurtful pride : Thee could no coftly gem enfnare. No trinket to adorn thy hair : No Carian flave didft thou requeft. No precious chain, no Tyrian vefl:.-^ Eut long didft ftand with downcaft eye» As hefitating to reply ; Eflaying, but in vain, to fpeak, --While blufhes dy'd thy modeft cheek. At laft thy fault'ring tongue with fear Thus utter'd faintly in his.ear, * Prince, to thefe walls give accefs free « At all times for my friends and me.' Phrygius full well perceiv'd her drift, Yet nobly ratified his gift. A peace was foon proclaim'd around. And mighty Love the treaty bound : A more Ep.XV. of ARISTiENETUS, m A more fufficient guarantee. Than any bonds or oaths could be. And this example well may prove That nought's fo eloquent as Love : for oft had orators, whofe ftyle was Mellifluent as the feer's of Pylos *, Conven'd, debated, and returnM— While ftill the rage of battle burn'd. But Cupid's fweeter elocution Brought matters quick to a conclufion. And hence the Ionian maids deduce Th' expreffion now fo much in ufe, * May we fuch noble prefents have, * As erft the princely Phrygius gave ! * And may our Lords as faithful be, f As thine, Plena, was to thee.' NOTES. ^ Seer of Pylos,] Nepr, famous in Homer for his elo- quence. \ \ t^.XVl. LOVE EPISTLES. 113 EPISTLE XVI. THE BASHFUL LOVER. tAMPRlAS TO PHILIP'PIDES. TN fecret pining thus I figh'd, * Love, thou alone my flame dofl know, * Who didft the fatal arrow guide, * And Venus, who prepared thy bow. ^ Not to my friend, to her much lefs * Dare I my hopeleis flame difclofe ; * And love conceal'd, burns to excefs, * And with redoubled ardour glows. NOTES. ♦ £pifik xvi.] A lover, who long had feared to difclofd his paflioH, at length defcribes to his friend the circum- llances of fucccfs. I ^Me, 'JI4 LOVE EPISTLES Ep. XVI, « Me, Cupid, haft thou robb'd of reft 5 « Wound too the maid whofe love I feek 5 « But pierce with lighter fhaft her breaft, < Left grief make wan that blooming cheek.* Sweet did (he fpeak, and fweetly fmile, When lately I admittance had. Yet feem'd (he fo rcferv'd the while. The inconfiftence made me mad. if jtp.XVI. OF ARIST^NETUS* Sudden fhe feiz'd my hand— her eyes With am'rous elocution fpeak— Inftant her wonted rigour flies. And Love fits dimpling on her check. Intoxicated with defirej Her panting neck flie did incline : And kifsM me with fuch life and fire I thought her foul would blend with mine. Her fnowy hands, her lovely face I viewM, with admiration fiU'd : Her eafy negligence of drefs, Her bofom, feat of blifs, revcal'd ! - — Defcrlption can no farther go, T' exprefs our happinefs too weak— But well did half-form'd accents (how. Our joys were more than we could fpeak, Still dar'd I not my love make knovirn. But filcntly to Cupid pray'd, • Grant that fhe firft her paflion own !'- The pow'rful archer lent his aid. Sudden 5?5 I2 / / / Ep.XVII. love epistles. 117 •EPISTLE XVII. THE HAUGHTY BEAUTY. \% XENOPEITHES TO DEMARETUS. Y ES, flie is cold Oh ! how feverely cold ! — That breaft Love's gentle taper ne'er could warm.— Who could believe a heart of favage mould Was e'er enfhrin'd within fo bright a form ? Yet not unnotic'd in the fields of Love Have I fuftain'd full many a brifk campaign: For many a trophy ftrove,--nor vainly ftrove. While maids, and wives, and widows own'd my reign» NOTES* • Epijle xvii.] From a lover complaining of the pride and infeniibility of his miftrefs. I3 But .,2®*' LOVE EPISTLES Ep.XVII. But now, alas ! that idle boaft expires ; And Daphnis wears the laurels I had won. Now Xenopeithes pines with new defires, ^ And all his fame in one defeat is flown. Yes— (he Is ev'ry way replete with wiles- Love's (he ?— 'tis filence.— Is fhe lov'd ?^-'tis fcQrn, Flatt'ry fhe hates ;— at profFer'd gifts fhe fmiles.— As law, mufl her imperious will be born. Laughs fhe ?— her lips alone that laughter own- No fmiling dimples on her cheeks are fpread— ^ And once I ventur'd to reprove her frown. And told her, « Charms fhould love infpire, not; dread.' — As well might I have fpoken to the air. Or to an afs have touch'd the melting lute.— But flill— * The falling drop the flone will wear,— And flill ril ply my difappointed fuit. With I Ep.xvil of ARIST^NETUS, 119 With more delufive baits my hook I'll gild- Still on my line the flipp'ry prize fhall play. —And 'tis Love's grand diftindion not to yield, But toil and toil, altho' he lofe the day; Ten years could vanquifh heav'n-defended Troy.— . And O I do thou, my friend, afllft my aim— (For thou haft felt the all-deftruaive boy) t The fame our labours, as our fkifF the fame; NOTES. * The falling drop, ^c] An ancient proverb. «* Nonne vides etiam guttas in faxa cadentes, " Humoris longo fpatio pertundere faxa." LucRET, lib. iii. < Hard bodies, which the lightcft ftroke receive, * In length of time will moulder and decay ; * And ftones with drops of rain are walh'd away.' t Thifame our labours, ^r.] Another Greek proverb. ** In eadem es navi.— Cic. Epift. ii. I4 I 1.1 I: Ep. XVIII. LOVE EPISTLES. lai * E P I S T L E XVIII. , EXCUSES, CALLICiETA TO MEIRACIOPHILA, T TN NUMBERED pleafures are your own, Who youth and beauty prize alone— Who feek not riches to excefs, Bui place them after happinefs : Who from the fighing am'rous crew Seleft alone the lovely few : And when a beauteous fwain you meet. His flame with mutual ardour greet : But fcorn the mean, the fottiih hind, Whofe wealth would bribe you to be kind. You can, like Spartan hounds, difcover. With quickeft fcent, a worthy lover, NOTES, ♦ Ejttfilg xviii.] A panegyrick on a dainty courtezan. Skilful 122 LOVE EPISTLES Ep. XVIII.- Skilful to beat, to wind, to double. For game that may reward your trouble, Then hoary dotards you defpife— *Tis that which proves you truly wife. Were any wretch, deform'd, and old. To bring ineftimable gold. His treafures vainly were employ'd, Tho' <^reat as Tantalus enjoy'd : Not all his prefents could atone For youth, and health, and vigour flown : Haggard with age, and with difeafe, You'd loath his perfon— fcorn his fees. The mere defcription {hocks one much- How then th' original to touch ?— Hence many a cogent caufe appears T* advife equality of years : For fimilarity of ages To fimilar purfuits engages. And you draw arguments from truth In praife of ev'ry difF'rent youth. Say Ep.XVIIL of ARISTiENETUS. 123 Say— has your love a little nofe ? How neat, how delicate it (hows !— » If aquiline, it arches high — Oh — the grand type of majefty 1— Jf neither large it be, nor fmall — ■ ^Tis due proportion — beft of all !— . A fwarthy fkin — is manly grace— The fairer youths — a heav'nly race- In fhort, you catch at each pretence. And torture words to ev'ry fenfe. For ev'ry youthful fwain to find Excufes, why you (hould be kind : As drunkards ev'ry reafon think May fan6lion a demand for drink.—* * Come — we are youn^ — let's t'other pot'— " The tankard here, to cheer the old**-^ Some drink becaufe — ' '//i parching hot^ And fome, becaufe — * '//x hitter cold* 5 T' ex- 124 LOVE EPISTLES Ep. XVIII. T' exemplify the love of wine, I ceafe to write — the cafe is mine. 2p. XIX. OF ARISTiENETUS. 125 * E P I S T L E XIX. MERIT RESCUED FROM SHAME. BUPHRONIUM TO THELXINOE. "A-,. QURE Fortune has fmil'd on Meliffa henigtty From the theatre freed, in abundance to fhine : While I, lefs in favour, am ftill doom'd to linger My life on the ftage, an unfortunate finger* Melijfa's beginning was poor paft expreilion^— « For when flie firft ftudied her fcenic profeflion. Her mother and fhe in a pitiful cot Were ftarving together, and fcarce worth a groatj NOTES. • Epijile xix.] From a girl on the ftagc to her friend, dcfcribing the good fortune of a young aftrefs of their ac- quaintance. Bat 126 LOVE EPISTLES Ei^.XIJj^ But Toon (he eclips'd all the girls of her age. And her mufical talents engag'd the whole ftage. At firft people fneer'd— to diftinguifli their tafte; But they foon turn'd to praife — and they envy'd at laft. Her charms, and her drcfs, and her mufical fkill Soon gain*d her rich generous lovers at will. She was fplendidly kept but was highly afraid Left breeding fliould fpoil fo important a trade. (And frequently breeding, to tell you the truth Is the worft of deftroyers to beauty and youth.) Among the old gofiips, flie learn'd to divine Whene'er (he conceived, by infallible fign : So when the cafe happened, fhe told her old dame : And to me for advice, as more knowing, they came. I gave my opinion, and added a drug, Which demoUQi'd her fears, expeditious and fnug. But Ep.XIX. OP ARISTiENETUS. i^f But with Charicles when fhe commenc'd an afFair, Whofc wealth was immenfe, as his beauty was rare. She chang'd her requeft to the rulers above. And with fervency pray'd for a pledge of their love. The gods of Olympus confentlngly fmil'd : * And Lucina's afliftance delivered the child— A child with all kinds of perfetSlIon endued. And the father himfelf in a miniature view'd. The mother with rapture beheld the young boy^ The little Eutychldes^ offspring of joy. For children the more they are beautiful, move With greater incitement their parents to love. While Charicles^ bleft in an infant fo dear, Determin'd the fame of its mother to clear : NOTES. • And Lucina'i ajjiftance, t>V.] Both Juno and Diana were worlhipped under this' name* as goddelTes prefiding over child-birth. From 128 LOVE EPISTLES Ep.XIX* From her fcenic employment he refcu'd the fair. His hand, and his heart, and his riches to fliare t And the lady forgot, while fhe gaz'd on her fon. Both the life (he had led, and the rifk (he had rurt. A vifit I latt:ly to Pythias paid, (For fhe took a new name, when fhe left her old trade.) She fhewM me her jewels, each ring, and each toy 5 —And be fure I'd a fight of her fweet little boy: His cheek I kifs'd fweetly but tenderly too 3 For 'twas foft as the rofe, it refembled in hue.— The lady's fo chang'd,— 'tis amazing to fee'tj So modefl her air, and her look fo difcreet : Her hair braided neat, without art or defign : Her ornaments grave ; neither flaunty nor fine. When fhe walks, 'tis with caution and prudence they fay. And you'd think by her fleps, fhe had ne'er gone aftray. \i I ■ Ep.XIX. of ARISTiENETUS. 129 So one of thtfe days, when the time you can fpare, I advife you, Tbe.'xinoe'y vifit the fair : But be very exa6l not Adelijj'a to name her, 'Twould look like an infult intended to fhame her: The word, when I faw her, was at my tongue's end, But they gave me a jog^ and the hint fav'd your friend. K Ep.xx. love epistles. 131 * E P I S T L E XX. THE JAILOR TRICKED. PHYLACIDES TO PHRURION. T ATE an adultVous youth I feiz'd; And « guard him clofely/ was the charge. But with his age and figure pleas'd, I kept him prifoner at large. Unfetter'd thro' my houfe he ftray'd : Thought I, he may reform his life.— He my compaffion well repaid. And — gratefully feduc'd my wife. N O T E S. • Epijlle XX.] From a jailor, whofe wife was fe- duced by a young maa confined in his h.ufe for adul* tery. K2 Tht 132 LOVE EPISTLES Ep.XX. « • The thief, Eurybates^ ne'er ftrain'd His wit to fo complete a job : Who firft his jailor's pity gain'd^ Then (hew'd him how he us'd to rob. Ep.XX. of ARISTiENETUS. 133 —The fuhlic jeft — ah ! that wounds deep- That I — who live by bolts and chains. In my own prifon could not keep The honour of my wife from ftains. The brazen pens they wrote withal Sharper than needles did he grind : Then ftuck them in the prifon wall. And fled— but left their wives behind. Soon as this villany was heard. Which robbM my bofom of its reft 5 It firft incredible appear'd. And then became the public jeft. NOTES. ^ • Euryhates,'] % famous robber of y////Vtf. who efcaped once from priibn by means of fome brazen pens, by which he defcended the walls. The K3 •«..-^.. >1* • ^ -- Ep.xxl love epistles. iii'< * E P I S T L E XXL CRUEL COMPASSION. ARISTOMENES TO MYRONIDES, rr^HE god of the love-darting bow, Whofe blifs is map's he^rt to deftroyj Oft contrives to embitter our woe By a fpecious refemblance of joy.— Long — long had Architeles figh'd The fair Tdejippe to gain : She coolly his paflion denied^ Yet fcem'd fomewhat mov'd at his pain. k 1 NOTES. • Epiflle XXI.] A whimilcal account of a Jover and His miHrefsy * who admitted him to every favour bat the K4 At t^ L y ? E P I S TL P:S Ep. X?L At length fhe coniented to hear ; But 'twas done with a view to beguile : For her terms were moft harfti and feyere, And a frown was as good as her fmile. * You may freely,' fays (he, * touch my breaft, * And kifs, while a kifshas its charms; * And (provided I am not undr^ft) < Encircle me round in your arms. * In fliort, any favour you pleafe, * But expert not, nor think of the laft : * Left enrag'd I revoke my decrees, * And your femence of exile be caft.* — « Be it fo,' cried tfee yo^t^i with delight, « Thy pleafurc, my fair one, is mine : « Since I'm bleft as a prince at your fight, « Sure to touch thee, will make me divine. • But Ep.XXI. of ARIST^NETUS. 137 * But why keep one favour alone, * And grant fuch a number bcTide V — *' Becaufe the men value the hoon *' But only fo long as denied. *' They feek it with labour and pain ; " When gain'd, throw it quickly away ; " For youth is unfettled and vain, ** And its choice fcarce perfills for a day. —Thus pines the poor vi(5lim away, Forc'd to nibble and ftarve on a kifs.— Serv'd worfe than e'en eunuchs — for they Can never feel tortuie like this. - ^ 9 V . Ep.XXIL love epistles. 139 •EPISTLE XXIL PRIDE DEJECTED. LUCIAN TO ALCIPHRON, T ONG Glycera had lov'd, and flill Ckarifius loves ^ but brooking ill Thofe fu^^ercilious airs of his, (For PriJe, \ou know, his foible is) Detrrmin'd, if (he could, at once Her hopeltfs pailion to renounce. A wifh to loye him, caus'd her hate: Hatred too fl>ong did love create. NOTES. • Epijile xxii.] The addrefs of a cunning maid- fervant. However 14P LOVE EPISTLES Ep.XXIL However to Doris fhe applied. Her makl, her oracle, her guide : To her u\\ circumftances ftated ; And long together they debated ; At length th^ir confultation done, The confident v^ent out alone. She'd walk'd thro' half a ftreet and better. When at a turn Cljari/ius met her : Afk'd how fhe far'd, and how fhe fped.— • So, fo,' fhe cried, and fhook her head. • Is ouc.ht the matter?* faid the youth 3 • For God'i. fake, Doris, tell me truth/ Forcing a tear from either eye, The criifty jade thus anfwcr'd (ly: • My miftrefs madly doats upon • That dolt, that idiot, Polemon. • What's worfe, and you'll efteem it fuch, • She hates your company as much.'— • Is't true ?' th' aftonifh'd lover cries. • Alas ! too true,' the maid replies : * I'm Ep.XXII. of ARIST^NETUS. 141 * I'm fure fhe beats me black and blue, * If once 1 dare but mention you/— *Twas now Charijius plainly p :ov' Ne'er (hall thofe brutes avail with me-— —They're fatyrs, when compar'd with thee. 5P L4 Ep. XXV. LOVE EPISTLES. IS3 • EPISTLE XXV. THE SISTERS. I PHILANIS TO PETALA. A S yefterday I went to dine With Pamphilus^ a Avain of mine: I took my fifler, little heeding The net I for myfelf was fpreading; Tho' many circumftances led To prove fhe'd mifchlcf in her head. For firft her drefs in ev'ry part Was ftudied wi:h the nic*jH: art : Deck'd out with necklaces and rings. And twenty other foollfli things : NOTES. * FplJIIe XXV.] From a -iri, acculirg her filler of fedudng her lover's af^'Cwtions, And 154 LOVE EPISTLES Ep. XXV. And (he had curl'd and bound her hair With more than ordinary care : And then to fhew her youth the more— A light, tranfparent robe (he wore From head to heel Cut feem'd t' admire In raptures all her fine attire : And often turn'd afide to view If others gaz'd with raptures too.—— At dinner, grown more bold and free, She parted Pamphlliis and me ; For veering round unheard, unfeen. She flily drew her chair between. Then with alluring ain'rous fmiles. And nods, and other wanton wiles, The unfufpeaing youth enfnar'd, And rivalM me in his regard.— Next {he afFedledly would fip The liquor that had touch'd his Up. He, whofe whole thoughts to love incline, And heated with th' enlivening wine, With ,;v Ep.XXV. of ARISTiENETUS. 15S With intereft repaid her glances. And anfwer'd all her kind advances. Thus fip they from the goblet's brink Each other's kifies while they drink: Which with the fparkling wine combin'cl, Qiiick paflage to the heart did find. Then Pamphilus an apple broke And at her bofom aim'd the flroke ; While file the fragment kifs'd and prefs't. And hid it wanton in her brcaft. But I be fure was in amaze. To fee my fifter's artful ways : * Thefe are returns,' I faid, ' quite fit, * To me who nurs'd you when a chit. * For fhame lay by this envious art ;— * Is this to acl a fifter's part?' But vain were Words, intreaties vain — The crafty witch fecur'd my fwain.— . By heav'ns, my After does me wrong- But Oh ! (lie fliall not triumph long. Well 156 LOVE EPISTLES Ep.XXV, Well Venus knows I'm not in fault-^ 'Twas (he who gave the firft aflault : And fince our peace her trcach'ry broke, Let mc return her ftroke for ftroke. She'll quickly feel, and to her coft. Not all their fire my eyes have loft— And foon with grief fhall (he refign Six of her fwains for one of mine. Ep.XXVI. OF ARIST^NETUS. 157 • EPISTLE XXVI. THE PANTOMIME ACTRESS. SPEUSIPPUS TO PANARETE. I T ONG had Fame thy praifes fung, Sweeteft theme of cv'ry tongue : Long mine ears thofe graces knew. Which till now ne'er blcft my view. Now thy charms my bofom fire. More and more I now admire j NOTES. • Epi/le XX vi.] A panegyrical Epiflle to a pantomime adrefs (0 P X H S T P I A A.) The celebrated Cafaubon^ who wrote fome critiques upon this work, points out a pe- culiar elegance in this epiUle ; but it is to be feared much of it depended on the expreffions of the origi- nal, However, it throws fome light on the art of the ancient times. Finding 158 LOVE EPISTLES Ep. XXVL Finding them fo far (xcel All that Fame had words to tell. On thy geftures who could gaze, Nor be loft in wild amaze ? Who unhurt, with bofom cold. Could thy beauteous form behold ?— ^ 'Mong th* imniorjal race divine, Venus and * Pclymnla (bine. They prefided at thy birth, And ordain'd, that thou on earth. Like the expreflive mufe fliouldft move. And infpire, like Vciiusy love. Art thou orator or painter : Which all u Hon is the quainter ? Words thou cand with (kill exprefs : Things in native colours drefs : While thy animated arm, Limbs with elocution warm; NOTES, • Peljmnta particularly prefided over Gellurc. Motion3 \ Ep.XXVL of ARIST/ENETUS. 159 Motions juft, and nicely true. Are thy tongue and pencil too. Thou, thus eloquently mute, Canft each part, like Proteus, fuit : As the ftrains, or light or flow^ Bid fucceffive paflions flow. Now with loud applauding hand See the wrapt fpedators ftand : Now you hear th' aftonifh'd throng Joining in alternate fon;: : ♦ Now they (hake their robes in praife : Now in fpcechlefs wonder gaze : While in whifpers each explains What thy mimic filence means : And to fliew his approbation Labours iit thy imitation. NOT E S. • Nozv they Jbake their robes, ^f.] This was a fign of the highell approbation among the Ancients. Thou 'A i6o LOVE EPISTLES Ep.XXVL Thou with geftures nice, cxa£l, Dofl like Caramallus a6l : Him thy all-expreffivc grace Doth with true rcfemblance trace* Pleas'd may e'en the wife, the old. Thy dumb eloquence behold: Such amufements to attend. Gravity may well unbend.— I, on public bus'nefs bound,' Many cities have gone round : Either Rome I've travell'd through, Both the ancient and the new s Yet in neither did I fee Ought that might be match'd with thee— Such thy charms, and fuch thy art; Bleft is he who wins thy heart ! Ep.XXVII. of ARISTiENETUS. i6l * E P I S T L E XXVIL THE COXCOMB. CLEARCHUS TO AMYNANDER. « IK S jull: beneath a lady's eye A youth officioufly pafs'd by : Another lady (landing near, Jogg'd her, and whifper'd in her ear, * Yon fwain, by Beauty's queen 'tis true, « Walk'd by to be obferv'd by you : < And really, on examination, * His figure merits obfervation. < His drefs is very neatly lac'd : — « And fafhion'd with a pretty tafte. NOTES. • EpiJ}Ie xxvii.] From a lady, ridiculing the addreffes of a lelf-fufiicient lover. ^ M •And ;< i6t LOVE EPISTLES Ep.XXVIU < And then obferve, his jetty hair < Is buckled with the niceft care : (* For Cupid can transform, you know, < The greateft floven to a beau.') « * That man/ faid t' other, * I deteft, * However (hap'd, however drefsM, * Who flatters his own charms too much, < And thinks we can't refift the touch. * This made him chufe, and this alone, « The name of Phllo for his own : « This gave the felf-fufficient airs « Which in his haughty brow he bears. * I hate the lover who can dare « To be a rival to the fair : < Who, if (he deign to blefs his arms, < Thinks he repays her charms for charms. N o T E s. • T/jat man, &c.] This is a very lively defcript'on of an intriguing coxcomb ; and perhaps not inapplicable to fome modern charaders, « The Ep.XXVII. of ARISTiENETUS. 163 * The man who courts a lady fo, * Courts only that the world may know. * But hear me veX my (lately fwain^ * It cannot fail to entertain.— *' A youth there is who frequent tries " With love my bofom to furprife : *' In vain my court he daily haunts, ** In vain his idle ditties chaunts ; *' Yet fears not to repeat his fong ** Both ev'ry day, and all day long : ** While I tormented hide my face, ** And blufti myfelf for his difgrace. Thus with infulting words the fdir Mock'd her defponding lover's care : And then, to faften his devotion, Contriv'd, with eafy, carekfs motion, A leg of moft enchanting fhape Should from beneath her robe efcape. M 2 Th« i64 LOVE EPISTLES Ep.XXVII. The poor Adonis heard, and view'd Juft as the lady wifli'd he fhou'd : And < O ! infulting maid,' he cried, * Continue ftill my flame to chide : « Not me thy bitter taunts approach, < The god of Love alone they touch : < Nor he, I truft, will bear them long, « But chufe an arrow fure and ftrong : The (haft thy ftubborn heart (hall gore. And thou in turn my love implore.' « That dreadful lot far diftant be,' She cried afFeaedly, ' from me ! * Go on, vain youth, perfift to pleafe « Your pride with fuch conceits as thefe: < And wait till your fuperior beauty « Compels my love-fick heart to fue t' ye : * And till avenging Cupid draws « His bow, to vanquifti in your caufe. « Meantime, Ep.XXVIL of ARISTiENETUS. 165 < Meantime, flill haunt my court in vain, ' And chaunt, and watch, and chaunt again : * On Love's itempeftuous billows toft, ^ Too weak to keep or quit your poft : * Forbidden ought to touch that's mine, * And left with hopelefs cares to pine, * And not a kifs your toils repay— ' Yet have not ftrength to get away.* Mj ip.XXVIII. LOVE EPISTLES. 167 *EPISTLE XXVIII. THE RIVAL FRIENDS. NICOSTRATUS TO TIMOCRATES. rr^YRANT o' the heart! inconftant, faithlefs -*■ boy! Source of thefc tears— as once dear fource of joy !— Inhuman trifler ! whofe delufive fmile Charms to cnfnare, and foothes but to beguile- Hence ! tyrant, I renounce thy fway.— And thou, Falfe goddefs, who prepar'ft the ftripllng's bow, Whofe fkill marks out the foft, the yielding heart, Guides the boy's arm, and barbs the madning dart,— K GTE s. • Zpijile xxviii.] From a lover, refigning his miilrefs ^ to his friend. M 4 'Thou S^ r, » la ^1 . V 168 LOVE EPISTLES EP.XXVllIi Thou (halt no more my midnight vows receive. To thee no more the votive fruits Til give. No more for thee the feftive altar raife. Nor ever tune another note of praife. This I have done.— Witnefc, each facred grove ! Where wandering lovers fing the maid they love j Ye awful fanes ! to this falfe goddefs rais'd. Fanes that have oft with my free incenfe blazM s And chiefly thou, fweet folitary bird Bear witnefs to my vows,— for thou haft heard j . And many a night haft braved the dewy wind To foothe, with thy foft notes, my penfive mind : But when the churlifli blaft has huftit thy lays, Have I not fillM the interval with praife— With praife ftill varied to the Cyprian queen, ' And fighs, the heart's beft tribute, breathed between i Till Humb'ring Echo ftarted from her cave. Admiring at the late refponfc fhe gave 5 And Ef.XXVIII. OF ARIST^NETUS, 169 And thou, beft warbler of the feather'd throng. With double fweetnefs did'ft renew thy fong. —Nor were ye flow, ye gentle gales of night. To catch fuch notes, and ftop your filent flight, 'Till on your dewy wings, with morrow's rays, To Cypria's queen ye waft the fong of praife, — In vain ! ofHcicus gales ; — (he heeds you not ; My vows are fcorn'd, and all my gifts forgot ; A happier rival muft her power defend ;— And in that rival, I have bft a friend ! Thee then, my friend — if yet a wretch may claim A laft attention by that once dear name — Thee I addrefs: — The caufe you muft approve j— I yield you — what I cannot ceafe to love. Be thine the blifsful lot, the nymph be thine : — I yield my love — fure friendfliip may be mine. Yet muft no thought of me torment thy breafti— Forget me, if my griefs difturb thy reft, 7 Whilft f » « % ' I .• - ■ ' 170 LOVE EPISTLES Ep.XXVIIL Whilft ftill ril pray that thou may'ft never know The pangs of baffled Love, or feel my woe. But fure to thee, dear charming !— fatal maid I (For me thou'ft charm'd, and me thou haft betray 'd) This laft requeft I need not recommend—- Forget the lover thou, as he the friend. Bootlefs fuch charge ! for ne'er did pity move A heart that mock'd the fuit of humble Love.— Yet in fome thoughtful hour, if fuch can be, Where Love, Timocratesy is join'd with thee. In fome lone paufe of joy, when pleafures pall. And fancy broods o'er joys it can't recal, ' Haply a thought of me (for thou, my friend, May'ft then have taught that ftubborn heart to bend) A thought of him, whofe paffion was not weak. May dafti one tranfient blufh upon her cheek ; Haply a tear — (for I (hall furely then Be paft all power to raife her fcorn again) 8 Haply, i Ep.XXVIIL OF ARISTiENETU S. 171 Haply, I fay, one felf- dried tear may fall :— One tear ftie'll give,— for whom I yielded all I Then wanton on thy neck for comfort hang. And foon forget the momentary pang 5 Whilft thy fond arms— Oh down my jealous foul ! What racking thoughts within my bofom roll ! How bufy Fancy kindles ev'ry vein. Tears my burft heart, and fires my madning brain.— ^ Hufh'd be the ill-tim'd ftorm— for what haft thou, Poor outcaft wretch, to do with paffion now ? I will be calm ;— 'tis Reafon's voice commands. And injured Friendftiip fliakes her recent bands. I will be calm ;— but thou, fweet Peace of Mind, That rock'd my pillow to the whittling wind ; Thou flatt'rer, Hope ! thyfelf^a cure for forrow. Who never {hew'd the wretch a fad to-morrow, Thou coz'ner, ever whifp'ring at my ear ^hat vanity was ever plcas'd to hear— Whether, V 172 LOVE EPISTLES Ep.XXVIIL Whither, yc faithlefs phantoms, whither flown ! - — Alas ! thefe tears bears witnefs ye are gone. Return ! — in vain the call ! ye cannot find One blifsful feat within this fallen mind ; Ye cannot mix with Pride, and furly Care, Ye cannot brood with Envy and Defpair. My life has loft its aim ! that fatal fair Was all its obje6l, all its hope or care ; She was the goal to which my courfe was bent, Where ev'ry wifb, where ev'ry thought was fent; A fecret influence darted from her eyes,— Each look, attratSlion ! and herfclf the prize, Conccnter'd there, I liv'd for her alone, — To make her glad, and to be bkft, was one. —Her I have loft I — and can I blame this poor Forfaken heart— fad heart that joys no more ! That Ep.XXVm. OF ARISTiENETUS. 173 That faintly beats againft my aching breaft, Confcious it wants the animating gueft : Then fenfeiefs droaps, nor yields a fign of pain. Save the fad figh it breathes, to fearch in vain. Adieu, my friend, adieu, nor blame this fad Tho' forrow guides my pen, it blames not you. Forget me 'tis my prayV ; nor feek to know The fate of him whofe portion muft be woe. Till the cold earth outftretch her fiienJly arms. And Death convince me that he can have charms. E'en where I write, with Azizvt views around. An emblem of my ftate has forrow found : I faw a little ftream full brifkly glide, Whilft fome near fpring renewed its infant tide; But when a cl^urli;!! Jian^ • • • ••• ••• ■« • • • ••••«• • « • • * • « » ^1 COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES This book is due on the date indicated below, or at the expiration of a definite period after the date of borrowing, as provided by the library rules or by special arrangement with the Librarian in charge. DATE BORROWED DATE DUE DATE BORROWED DATE DUE i iUC 1 6 ms OCT 3 f '45 ; 1 • / J / 1 1 17 1 ' C28(747. MlOO I M II I COLUMB A UNIVERSITY 0032201184 ( I S&ArS?- \ DEC 21 1936