And they, methinks, deserve my pity, Who for it can endure the stings, The crowd, and buzz, and murmurings, Of this great hive, the city. Ah! yet, ere I descend to th' grave, May I a small house and large garden have; And a few friends, and many books, both true, Both wise, and both delightful too! And (since Love ne'er will from me flee,) A mistress, moderately fair, And good, as guardian-angels are ; Only belov'd, and loving me! How happy here should I, And one dear she, live, and embracing die? She who is all the world, and can exclude In desarts solitude. [From "The Inconstant."] I NEVER yet could see that face Which had no dart for me; From fifteen years to fifty's space Colour or shape, good limbs or face, If tall, the name of proper slays; If black, what lover loves not night? The fat like plenty fills my heart, The lean with love makes me so too; * Thus with unwearied wings I flee Through all Love's gardens and his fields; And, like the wise industrious bee, No weed but honey to me yields. * Honour. SHE loves, and she confesses too; There's then at last no more to do. The happy work's entirely done; Enter the town which thou hast won. What's this, ye gods! what can it be? Bold Honour stands up in the gate, Have I o'ercome all real foes, And shall this phantom me oppose? Noisy nothing! stalking shade! But I shall find out counter-charms, Sure I shall rid myself of thee And obscurer secresy. BALLAD. The Chronicle. MARGARITA first possess'd, But when a while the wanton maid Martha soon did it resign To the beauteous Catharine. Beauteous Catharine gave place (Though loath and angry she to part With the possession of my heart) To Eliza's conquering face. Eliza till this hour might reign, Till up in arms my passion rose, And cast away her yoke. Mary then, and gentle Ann, Both to reign at once began, Alternately they swayed: And sometimes Mary was the fair, And sometimes Ann the crown did wear, And sometimes both I obey'd. Another Mary then arose, When fair Rebecca set me free, For the gracious princess died And Judith reigned in her stead. One month, three days, and half an hour, And so Susanna took her place. But when Isabella came, Arm'd with a resistless flame, |