fools, that would not fight, from oppreffion? And were there not writing fools, what would the reading fools do for a diverfion: So that upon the whole matter I think we had even as good leave the world as we find it. However, if he thinks there ought to be fomewhat done in this matter, after having made so much noise about it; the most general folly in men being that of fhewing severity to other peoples faults, while they neglect those they commit themselves; he may order a folemn proclamation to be made, that no man fhall have the privilege of cenfuring the follies of other people, till he can bring a certificate, under the hands of three judicious neighbours, that he has none at all of his own,

The DESPAIRING LOVER.

D

Iftracted with care,
For Phyllis the fair;

Since nothing cou'd move her,

Poor Damon her lover,

Refolves in despair

No longer to languish,

Nor bear fo much anguish:

But, mad with his love,
To a precipice goes;
Where a leap from above
Wou'd foon finish his woes.

When in rage he came there,
Beholding how steep

The fides did appear,

And the bottom how deep;

i

His torments projecting,
And fadly reflecting,

That a lover forfaken

A new love may get;

But a neck when once broken,

Can never be fet:

And, that he cou'd die

Whenever he wou'd;

But, that he cou'd live
But as long as he cou'd:
How grievous foever
The torment might grow,
He fcorn'd to endeavour
To finish it fo.

But bold, unconcern'd
At thoughts of the pain,
He calmly return'd

To his cottage again.

F all the torments, all the cares,

With which our livesare curft: Of all the plagues a lover bears,

Sure rivals are the worst!

By partners, in each other kind,
Afflictions eafier grow ;
In love alone we hate to find
Companions of our woe.

Sylvia, for all the pangs you fee,
Are lab'ring in my breast;
I beg not you would favour me,
Would you but flight the reft!

How

1

How great foe'er your rigours are,
With them alone I'll cope;

I can endure my own`despair,
But not another's hope.

A SONG to PHILLI S.

PHIL

.I.

HILLIS, we not grieve that nature,
Forming you, has done her part;

And in every fingle feature

Shew'd the utmost of her art.

But in this it is pretended,

II.

That a mighty grievance lies,

That your heart shou'd be defended,
Whilft wound us with your eyes.

you

III.

Love's a fenfeless inclination,
Where no mercy's to be found;
But is juft, where kind compassion
Gives us balm to heal the wound.
IV.

Perfians, paying folemn duty,
To the rifing fun inclin❜d,
Never would adore his beauty,
But in hopes to make him kind.

PHILLIS

04

WH

PHILLIS'S Refolution.

I.

HEN Slaves their liberty require,
They hope no more to gain,

But you not only that defire,

But ask the pow'r to reign.

II.

Think how unjust a suit you make,

Then you will foon decline;

Your freedom, when you please, pray take,
But trespass not on mine.

III.

No more in vain, Alcander, crave,

I ne'er will grant the thing,

That he, who once has been my slave,

Should ever be my king.

An EPISTLE to a Lady who had resolv❜d

M

against MARRIAGE.

ADAM, I cannot but congratulate
Your refolution for a single state:
Ladies, who would live undisturb'd and free,
Muft never put on Hymen's livery.
Perhaps, its outfide feems to promise fair,
But underneath is nothing else but care.
If once you let the Gordian knot be ty'd,
Which turns the name of virgin into bride ;

That

That one fond act your life's best scene foregoes,
And leads you in a labyrinth of woes ;
Whose strange Meanders you may fearch about
But never find the clue to let you out.
The marry'd life affords you little ease,
The best of husbands is so hard to please.
This in wives careful faces you may spell,
Tho' they diffemble their misfortunes well.
No plagues fo great as an ill-ruling head,
Yet 'tis a fate which few young ladies dread :
For love's infinuating fire they fan,
With fweet ideas of a Godlike man.
Chloris and Phillis glory'd in their fwains,
And fung their praises on the neighb'ring plains;
Oh! they were brave, accomplish'd charming men,
Angels till marry'd, but proud devils then.
Sure fome refiftlefs pow'r with Cupid fides,
Or we should have more virgins, fewer brides:
For fingle lives afford the most content,
Secure and happy, as they're innocent:
Bright as Olympus, crown'd with endless ease,
And calm as Neptune on the Halcyon feas.
Your fleep is broke with no domestic cares :
No bawling children to disturb your pray'rs;
No parting forrows to extort your tears,
No bluftring husband to renew your fears!
Therefore dear madam, let a friend advise,
Love and its idle deity despise :

Supprefs wild nature, if it dares rebel ;
There's no fuch thing as leading apes in hell.

CLELIA