Was it for this your Fate did fhelter find
From fwelling Seas, and ev'ry faithlefs Wind?
(For tho' a distant Country brought you forth,
Your Usage here was equal to your Worth.)
Does this deferve to be rewarded fo?
Did you come here a Stranger, or a Foc?
Your partial Judgment may perhaps complain,
And think me barb'rous for my just Disdain ;
Ill bred then let me be, but not unchafte,
Nor my clear Fame with any Spot defac'd.
Tho' in my Face there's no affected Frown,
Nor in my Carriage a feign'd Niceness shown,
I keep my Honour ftill without a Stain,
Nor has my Love made any Coxcomb vain.
Your Boldness I with Admiration fee;
What Hope had you to gain a Queen like me?
Because a Hero forc'd me once away,
Am I thought fit to be a fecond Prey?
Had I been won, I had deferv'd your Blame, But fure my Part was nothing but the Shame :
Yet the base Theft to him no Fruit did bear; nd I'fcap'd unhurt by any thing but Fear:
Rude Force might fome unwilling Kiffes gain,
But that was all he ever could obtain.
You on fuch Terms would ne'er have let me go;
Were he like you, we had not parted fo.
Untouch'd the Youth reftor'd me to my Friends,
And modeft Ufage made me fome Amends.
'Tis Virtue to repent a vicious Deed;
Did he repent, that PARIS might fucceed!
Sure 'tis fome Fate that fets me above Wrongs,
Yet ftill expofes me to bufy Tongues.
I'll not complain, for who's difpleas'd with Love,
If it fincere, discreet, and conftant prove?
But that I fear-not that I think you base,
Or doubt the blooming Beauties of my Face,
But all your Sex is fubject to deceive,
And ours, alas! too willing to believe.
Yet others yield; and Love o'ercomes the best
But why should I not fhine above the reft?
Fair LEDA's Story feems at first to be
A fit Example ready found for me;
But she was couzen'd by a borrow'd Shape,
And under harmless Feathers felt a Rape :
If I fhould yield, what Reafon could I use?
By what Miftake the loving Crime excuse?
Her Fault was in her pow'rful Lover loft,
But of what JUPITER have I to boast?
Tho' you to Heroes, and to Kings fucceed,
Our famous Race does no Addition need,
And great Alliances but useless prove
To one that springs herself from mighty Jove.
Go then and boast in some less haughty Place
Your Phrygian Blood, and PRIAM's ancient Race,
Which I would fhew I valu'd, if I durft;
You are the fifth from Jove, but I the first.
The Crown of Troy is pow'rful, I confess,
But I have Reafon to think ours no lefs.
Your Letter fill'd with Promises of all
That Men can good, and Women pleasant call,
Gives Expectation such an ample Field,
As would move Goddeffes themselves to yield.
But if I e'er offend great JUNO's Laws,
Your self shall be the dear, the only Cause;
Honour I'll to Death maintain,
Or follow you without mean Thoughts of Gain.
Not that so fair a Present I defpife;
We like the Gift, when we the Giver prize:
But 'tis your Love moves me, which made you take
Such Pains, and run fuch Hazards for my fake.
I have perceiv'd (tho' I diffembled too)
A thousand things that Love has made you
Your eager Eyes would almost dazle mine,
In which (wild Man) your wanton Thoughts would shine.
Sometimes you'd figh, fometimes diforder'd ftand,
And with unusual Ardour press my Hand;
Contrive just after me to take the Glass,
Nor would you let the least Occasion pass,
Which oft I fear'd I did not mind alone,
And blushing fate for things which you have done :
Then murmur'd to myfelf, He'll for my fake
Do any thing, I hope 'twas no Mistake.
Oft have I read within this pleasant Grove,
Under my Name, those charming Words, I love.
I frowning, feem'd not to believe your Flame,
But now, alas! am come to write the fame.
If I were capable to do amifs,
I could not but be fenfible of this.
For oh! your Face has fuch peculiar Charms,
That who can hold from flying to your Arms!
But what I ne'er can have without Offence,
May fome bleft Maid poffefs with Innocence.
Pleasure may tempt, but Virtue more fhould move;
O learn of me to want the thing you love.
What you defire, is fought by all Mankind :
As you have Eyes, fo others are not blind;
Like you they fee, like you my Charms adore,
They wish not lefs, but you dare venture more.
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