To th' wise it all things does allow; And cares not What we do, but How. Unless it let-in air, for ever shines and burns. She. Thou first, perhaps, who didst the fault commit, For men, with Roman pride, above Unless they through the streets their captive lead enchain'd. He. Whoe'er his secret joys has open laid, me too. She. Though publick punishment we escape, the sin Guilt and sin our bosom bears; That worm which now the core does waste, When long't has gnaw'd within, will break the skin at last. He. That thirsty drink, that hungry food, I sought, That wounded balm is all my fault; And thou in pity didst apply, The kind and only remedy: The cause absolves the crime; since me So mighty force did move, so mighty goodness thee. She. Curse on thine arts! methinks I hate thee now; I'm angry; but my wrath will prove Thou hast this day undone me quite; Yet wilt undo me more shouldst thou not come at night. VERSES LOST UPON A WAGER. AS soon hereafter will I wagers lay A tongue so blest by nature and by art, Your speech will govern destiny, And Fate will change rather than you should lye. 'T is true, if human Reason were the guide, Reason, methinks, was on my side; VERSES LOST UPON A WAGER. But that's a guide, alas! we must resign, She said, she said herself it would be so; Error the name of blindness bore; If Truth itself (as other angels do When they descend to human view) So dazzling bright, yet so transparent clear, But happier far the eye Which could thy shape naked like Truth espy! Yet this lost wager costs me nothing more Who would not venture for that debt to play, That no man's Muse for publick vent is free, 109 BATHING IN THE RIVER. THE fish around her crowded, as they do For ne'er did light so clear Among the waves appear, Though every night the sun himself set there. Why to mute fish shouldst thou thyself discover Maids bury; and, for aught we know, (Poor ignorants!) they're mermaids all below. The amorous waves would fain about her stay, I laugh'd the wanton play to view; And still old lovers yield the place to new. Kiss her, and as you part, you amorous waves (My happier rivals, and my fellow-slaves) Point to your flowery banks, and to her shew Then tell her what your pride doth cost, When rigorous winter binds you up with frost. Tell her, her beauties and her youth, like thee, No privilege dost know Above th' impurest streams that thither flow. Tell her, kind flood! when this has made her sad, Thyself yet still behind: Marriage (say to her) will bring About the self-same thing. But she, fond maid, shuts and seals-up the spring. |