Offend her, and she knows not to forgive; 140 Oblige her, and she'll hate you while you live: Childless with all her children, wants an heir. To heirs unknown, descends th' unguarded store, 145 150 155 Nature in her then err'd not, but forgot. "With ev'ry pleasing, ev'ry prudent part, 159 "Say, what can Cloe want?"-She wants a heart. After Ver. 148 in the MS. This death decides, nor lets the blessing fall Curs'd chance! this only could afflict her more, She She speaks, behaves, and acts just as she ought; As never yet to love, or to be lov'd. She, while her lover pants upon her breast, 165 Can mark the figures on an Indian chest : And when she sees her friend in deep despair, Observes how much a chintz exceeds mohair. 170 Forbid it, Heav'n, a favour or a debt She e'er should cancel!-but she may forget. Safe is your secret still in Cloe's ear; But none of Cloe's shall you ever hear. 175 Of all her dears she never slander'd one, 180 Poets VER. 180. when Cloe dies.] This highly-finished portrait was intended for Lady Suffolk, with whom, at the time he wrote it, he lived in a state of intimacy. Poets heap virtues, painters gems at will, 185 And shew their zeal, and hide their want of skill. 190 If QUEENSBERRY to strip there's no compelling, 'Tis from a handmaid we must take a Helen. From peer or bishop 'tis no easy thing 195 To draw the man who loves his God, or King: Alas! I copy (or my draught would fail) But grant, in public, men sometimes are shown, A woman's seen in private life alone : 200 Our bolder talents in full light display'd; After Ver. 198. in the MS. Fain I'd in Fulvia spy the tender wife; (As* and H**y preach) for Queens and Kings, May, if she love, and merit verse, have mine. Bred VER. 198, Mah'met, servant to the late King, said to be the son of a Turkish Bassa, whom he took at the siege of Buda, and constantly kept about his person. VER. 198. plain Parson Hale.] Dr. Stephen Hale; not more estimable for his useful discoveries as a natural philosopher, than for his exemplary life and pastoral charity as a parish priest. Bred to disguise, in public 'tis you hide; There, none distinguish 'twixt your shame or pride, Weakness or delicacy; all so nice, That each may seem a virtue, or a vice. 205 210 In men, we various ruling passions find; Men, some to bus'ness, some to pleasure take; Yet mark the fate of a whole sex of queens VER. 207. in the first edition,. In sev'ral men, we sev'ral passions find; ! grown, 216 220 225 Worn Worn out in public, weary ev'ry eye, Nor leave one sigh behind them when they die. Still out of reach, yet never out of view; 230 To covet flying, and regret when lost : At last, to follies youth could scarce defend, See how the world its veterans rewards! A youth of frolics, an old age of cards; 235 240 245 Ah! friend! to dazzle let the vain design; 249 To raise the thought, and touch the heart, be thine! That charm shall grow, while what fatigues the ring, Flaunts and goes down, an unregarded thing: So when the sun's broad beam has tir'd the sight, Serene in virgin modesty she shines, And unobserv'd the glaring orb declines. 255 |