214 LYRIC POEMS. $ * Strephon, of noble blood and mind, (For ever shine his name ! ) As death approach'd, his soul refin'd, Andgavehis loosersonnets tothe flame. " ° Burn, burn, he cry'd with sacred rage,. Hell is the due of ev'ry page, Hell be the fate, (But O indulgent hdaven!. [forgiv a !) So vile the muse, and yet the man Burn on my songs : For not the sil- ver Thames Nor Tiber with his yellow streams In endless currents rolling to the main, Can e'er dilute the poison, or wash out the stain. ", So Moses by divine command Forbid the leprous house to stand When deep thefatal spot was grown, " Break down the timber, and dig up the stone." To Mrs. B. BENDISH. Against Tears. 1 MADAM, persuade me tears are good. Towash our mortal cares away ; These eyes shall weep a sudden flood, And stream into a briny sea. 2 Or if these orbs are hard and dry, (These erbs that never.use to rain) Some star direct me where to buy One sov'reign drop for all my pain. 3 Were both the golden Indies mine, I'd giveboth Indiesfor a tear I'd barter all brat what's divine: Norshall I think the bargain dear. 4 But tears, alas 1 are trifling things, They rather feed than heal our woe ; From trickling eyes newsorrow springs As weeds in rainy seasons grow. 5 Thus weeping urges weeping on ; In vain our mis'ries hope relief, For one drop Calls another down;. Till we are drown'd in seas of grief. S Then let these useless streams be staid, Wear native courage on your face : These vulgar things were never made For souls of a superior race. 7 If 'tis a rugged path you go, And thousand foes your steps sur- round, Tread the thorns down, charge tiro' ' the foe: The hardest fight ishighest crown'd. Few Happy Matches: August, 1701. 1 SAY, mighty love, and teach my song, To, whom my sweetest joys belong, *. Earl of Rochester. And who the happy pairs [hands, Whose yielding hearts and joining Find blessings twisted with their bands, To soften all their cares. 2 Not the wild' herd of nymphs and swains That thoughtless fly into the chains, As custom leads the way: If there he bliss without design, Ivies and oaks may grow and twine, And be as blest as they. 3 Not sordid souls of earthly mould Who drawn by kindred charms of gold To dull embraces mote So two rich mountains of Peru May rush to wealthy marriage too, Andmake a world of love. 4 Not the mad tribe that hell inspires W ithwanton flames ; those raging fires The purer bliss destroy : On Etna's top let furies wed, And sheets of lightning dress the bed T' improve the burning joy. ,5 Nor the dull pairs whose marble forms None of the melting passions warms Can mingle hearts and hands: [coals .Logs of green wood that quench the Are married just like Stoic souls, With osiers for their bands. e Not minds of melancholy strain, Still silent, or that still complain, Can the dear bondage bless As well may heav'nly concerts spring From two old luteswith ne'er a string, Or none besides the bass. 7 Nor can the soft enchantments hold Two jarring souls of angry mould, The rugged and the keen: Sampson's young foxes might as well In bands of cheerful wedlock dwell, With firebrands ty'd between. 8 Nor let the cruel fetters bind A gentle to a savage mind; For love abhors the sight: Loose the fiercetiger from the deer, For native rage and native fear Rise and forbid delight. 9 Two kindred souls alone must meet; 'Tis friendshjp makes the bondage sweet, And feeds their mutual loves: Bright Venus on her rolling throne Is drawn by gentlest birds alone,' And Cupids yoke the doves. To DAVID POLHILL, Esq. December, 1702. An Epistle. I LET useless souls to woods retreat ; Polhill should leave a country -seat When virtue bids him dare be great. 2 Nor Kent *, nor Sussex *, should have charm , While liberty, with loud alarms, Calls you to counsels and to arms, * His,country -seat and dwelling.
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