THE GARLAND. HE pride of every grove I chose, At morn the nymph vouchsaf'd to place The flowers she wore along the day: And every nymph and shepherd said, Undrest at evening when she found That eye dropt sense distinct and clear, Ran trickling down her beauteous cheek. Dissembling what I knew too well, That falling tear-What does it mean? She sigh'd; she smil'd; and to the flowers Ah me! the blooming pride of May, Both fade at evening, pale, and gone. At dawn poor Stella danc'd and sung; Such as she is, who died to-day, 30 40 THE LADY WHO OFFERS HER LOOKING GLASS TO VENUS.* ENUS, take my votive glass; * Taken from an epigram of Plato. See Rambler, Num ber 143. CLOE JEALOUS. ORBEAR to ask me, why I weep; For mind I what you late have writ? The ways, where changing Cupid flies. The general power that beauty has; But why did no peculiar verse Describe one charm of Cloe's face? The glass, which was at Venus' shrine, Which show'd how youth and beauty fade. She should be humble, who would please; When in my glass I chanc'd to look ; Should know to charm my Damon more. 10 20 Reading thy verse; Who heeds, said I, My bloom indeed, my little flower Of beauty quickly lost its pride; For, sever'd from its native bower, It on thy glowing bosom died. Yet car'd I not what might presage, Or withering wreath, or fleeting youth; Love I esteem'd more strong than age, And time less permanent than truth. Why then I weep, forbear to know: I ever yet conceal'd from thee. The secret wound with which I bleed 30 40 ANSWER TO CLOE JEALOUS. IN THE SAME STYLE. THE AUTHOR SICK. ES, fairest proof of Beauty's power, While now I take my last adieu, Heave thou no sigh, nor shed a tear; view Lest yet my half-clos'd eye may From Jealousy's tormenting strife Yet when some better-fated youth Shall with his amorous parley move thee; Reflect one moment on his truth, Who, dying thus, persists to love thee. 10 |