The Works of Aphra Behn, Volume VI

by Aphra Behn

A VOYAGE to the ISLE OF LOVE.

An Account from Lisander to Lysidas his Friend.

At last, dear Lysidas, I'l set thee Free,
From the disorders of Uncertainty;
Doubt's the worst Torment of a generous Mind,
Who ever searching what it cannot find,
Is roving still from wearied thought to thought,
And to no settled Calmness can be brought:
The Cowards Ill, who dares not meet his Fate, }
And ever doubting to be Fortunate, }
Falls to that Wretchedness his fears Create. }
I should have dy'd silent, as Flowers decay,
Had not thy Friendship stopt me on my way,
That friendship which our Infant hearts inspir'd,
E're them Ambition or false Love had fir'd:
Friendship! which still enlarg'd with years and sense
Till it arriv'd to perfect Excellence;
Friendship! Mans noblest bus'ness! without whom }
The out-cast Life finds nothing it can own, }
But Dully dyes unknowing and unknown. }
Our searching thought serves only to impart
It's new gain'd knowledge to anothers Heart;
The truly wise, and great, by friendship grow,
That, best instructs 'em how they should be so,
That, only sees the Error of the Mind,
Which by its soft reproach becomes Refin'd;
Friendship! which even Loves mighty power controuls,
When that but touches; this Exchanges Souls.
The remedy of Grief, the safe retreat
Of the scorn'd Lover, and declining great.
This sacred tye between thy self and me,
Not to be alter'd by my Destiny;
This tye, which equal to my new desires
Preserv'd it self amidst Loves softer Fires,
Obliges me (without reserve) t' impart
To Lycidas the story of my Heart;
Tho' 'twill increase its present languishment,
To call to its remembrance past content:
So drowning Men near to their native shore
(From whence they parted ne'er to visit more)
Look back and sigh, and from that last Adieu,
Suffer more pain then in their Death they do:
That grief, which I in silent Calms have born,
It will renew, and rowse into a Storm.

The Truce.

With you, unhappy Eyes, that first let in
To my fond Heart the raging Fire,
With you a Truce I will begin,
Let all your Clouds, let all your Show'rs retire,
And for a while become serene,
And you, my constant rising Sighs, forbear,
To mix your selves with flying Air,
But utter Words among that may express,
The vast degrees of Joy and Wretchedness.
And you, my Soul! forget the dismal hour,
When dead and cold Aminta lay,
And no kind God, no pittying Power
The hasty fleeting Life would stay;
Forget the Mad, the Raving pain.
That seiz'd Thee at a sight so new,
When not the Wind let loose, nor raging Main
Was so destructive and so wild as thou.
Forget thou saw'st the lovely yielding Maid,
Dead in thy trembling Arms
Just in the Ravishing hour, when all her Charms
A willing Victim to thy Love was laid,
Forget that all is fled thou didst Adore,
And never, never, shall return to bless Thee more.

Twelve times the Moon has borrow'd Rays; that Night
Might favour Lovers stealths by Glimmering Light:
Since I imbarqu'd on the inconstant Seas
With people of all Ages and Degrees,
All well dispos'd and absolutely bent,
To visit a far Country call'd Content.
The Sails were hoisted, and the Streamers spread,
And chearfully we cut the yielding Floud;
Calm was the Sea, and peaceful every Wind,
As if the Gods had with our Wishes joyn'd
To make us prosperous; All the whispering Air
Like Lovers Joys, was soft, and falsly fair.
The ruffling Winds were hush'd in wanton sleep,
And all the Waves were silenc'd in the deep:
No threatning Cloud, no angry Curl was found,
But bright, serene, and smooth, 'twas all around:
But yet believe false Iris if she weep,
Or Amorous Layis will her promise keep,
Before the Sea that Flatters with a Calm,
Will cease to ruin with a rising Storm;
For now the Winds are rows'd, the Hemisphere
Grows black, and frights the hardy Mariner,
The Billows all into Disorder hurl'd,
As if they meant to bury all the World;
And least the Gods on us should pity take,
They seem'd against them, too, a War to make.
Now each affrighted to his Cabin Flyes,
And with Repentance Load the angry Skyes;
Distracted Prayers they all to Heaven Address,
While Heaven best knows, they think of nothing less;
To quit their Interest in the World's their fear,
Not whether,—but to go,—is all their Care,
And while to Heav'n their differing crimes they mount,
Their vast disorders doubles the account;
All pray, and promise fair, protest and weep,
And make those Vows they want the pow'r to keep,
And sure with some the angry Gods were pleas'd;
For by degrees their Rage and Thunder ceas'd:
In the rude War no more the Winds engage,
And the destructive Waves were tir'd with their own Rage;
Like a young Ravisher, that has won the day,
O're-toil'd and Panting, Calm and Breathless lay,
While so much Vigour in the Incounter's lost,
They want the pow'r a second Rape to Boast.
The Sun in Glory daignes again t' appear; }
But we who had no Sense, but that of fear, }
Cou'd scarce believe, and lessen our dispair. }
Yet each from his imagin'd Grave gets out,
And with still doubting Eyes looks round about.
Confirm'd they all from Prayer to Praises hast,
And soon forgot the sense of dangers past;
And now from the recruited Top-mast spy'd,
An Island that discover'd Natures Pride:
To which was added, all that Art could do
To make it Tempting and Inviting too;
All wondering Gaz'd upon the happy place,
But none knew either where, or what it was:
Some thought, th'Inaccessible Land 't had been,
And others that Inchantment they had seen,
At last came forth a Man, who long before
Had made a Voyage to that fatal shoar,
Who with his Eyes declin'd, as if dismaid,
At sight of what he dreaded: Thus he said.—

This is the Coast of Africa,
Where all things sweetly move;
This is the Calm Atlantick Sea,
And that the Isle of Love;

To which all Mortals Tribute pay,
Old, Young, the Rich and Poor;
Kings do their awful Laws obey,
And Shepherds do Adore.

There's none its forces can resist,
Or its Decrees Evince,
It Conquers where, and whom it list,
The Cottager and Prince.

In entering here, the King resigns,
The Robe and Crown he wore;
The Slave new Fetters gladly joyns
To those he dragg'd before.

All thither come, early or late,
Directed by Desire,
Not Glory can divert their fate,
Nor quench the Amorous fire.

The Enterances on every side,
Th' Attracts and Beauties Guard,
The Graces with a wanton Pride,
By turn secure the Ward.

The God of Love has lent 'em Darts,
With which they gently Greet,
The heedless undefended Hearts
That pass the fatal Gate.

None e're escapt the welcom'd blow,
Which ner'e is sent in vain;
They Kiss the Shaft, and Bless the Foe,
That gives the pleasing Pain.

Thus whilst we did this grateful story learn,
We came so near the Shoar, as to discern
The Place and Objects, which did still appear
More Ravishing, approaching 'em more near.
There the vast Sea, with a smooth calmness flows
As are the Smiles on happy Lovers Brows:
As peaceably as Rivulets it glides,
Imbracing still the shaded Islands sides;
And with soft Murmurs on the Margent flows,
As if to Nature it design'd Repose;
Whose Musick still is answer'd by the Breeze,
That gently plays with the soft rufl'd Trees.
Fragrant and Flowry all the Banks appear }
Whose mixt disorders more delightful were, }
Then if they had been plac'd with Artful care, }
The Cowslip, Lilly, Rose and Jesamine,
The Daffodil, the Pink and Eglintine,
Whose gawdy store continues all the year,
Makes but the meanest of the Wonders here.
Here the young Charmers walk the Banks along,
Here all the Graces and the Beauties throng.
But what did most my Admiration draw,
Was that the Old and Ugly there I saw,
Who with their Apish Postures, void of shame
Still practice Youth, and talk of Darts and Flame.
I laught to see a Lady out of date, }
A worn out Beauty, once of the first rate; }
With youthful Dress, and more fantastick Prate, }
Setting her wither'd Face in thousand forms,
And thinks the while she Dresses it in charms;
Disturbing with her Court: the busier throng
Ever Addressing to the Gay and Young;
There an old Batter'd Fop, you might behold,
Lavish his Love, Discretion, and his Gold
On a fair she, that has a Trick in Art,
To cheat him of his Politicks and Heart;
Whilst he that Jilts the Nation ore and ore,
Wants sense to find it in the subtiller W—re.
The Man that on this Isle before had been,
Finding me so admire at what I'd seen;
Thus said to me.—

LOVE's Power.

Love when he Shoots abroad his Darts,
Regards not where they light:
The Aged to the Youthful Hearts,
At random they unite.
The soft un-bearded Youth, who never found
The Charms in any Blooming Face,
From one of Fifty takes the Wound;
And eagerly persues the cunning Chase:
While she an Arted Youth puts on;
Softens her Voice, and languishes her Eyes;
Affects the Dress, the Mean, the Tone,
Assumes the noysy Wit, and ceases to be Wise;
The tender Maid to the Rough Warrior yields;
Unfrighted at his Wounds and Scars,
Pursues him through the Camps and Fields,
And Courts the story of his dangerous Wars,
With Pleasure hears his Scapes, and does not fail
To pay him with a Joy for every Tale.

The fair young Bigot, full of Love and Prayer,
Doats on the lewd and careless Libertine;
The thinking States-man fumbles with the Player,
And dearly buys the (barely wishing) Sin.
The Peer with some mean Damsel of the trade, }
Expensive, common, ugly and decay'd: }
The gay young Squire, on the blouz'd Landry Maid. }
All things in Heaven, in Earth, and Sea,
Love gives his Laws unto;
Tho' under different Objects, they
Alike obey, and bow;
Sometimes to be reveng'd on those,
Whose Beauty makes 'em proudly nice,
He does a Flame on them impose,
To some unworthy choice.
Thus rarely equal Hearts in Love you'll find,
Which makes 'em still present the God as Blind.

Whilst thus he spake, my wondering Eyes were staid
With a profound attention on a Maid!
Upon whose Smiles the Graces did await,
And all the Beauties round about her sate;
Officious Cupid's do her Eyes obey,
Sharpning their Darts from every Conquering Ray:
Some from her Smiles they point with soft desires,
Whilst others from her Motion take their Fires:
Some the Imbroider'd Vail and Train do bear,
And some around her fan the gentle Air,
Whilst others flying, scatter fragrant Show'rs, }
And strow the paths she treads with painted flow'rs, }
The rest are all imploy'd to dress her Bow'rs; }
While she does all, the smiling Gods carress,
And they new Attributes receive from each Address.

The CHARACTER.

Such Charms of Youth, such Ravishment
Through all her Form appear'd,
As if in her Creation Nature meant,
She shou'd alone be ador'd and fear'd:
Her Eyes all sweet, and languishingly move, }
Yet so, as if with pity Beauty strove, }
This to decline, and that to charm with Love. }
A chearful Modesty adorn'd her Face,
And bashful Blushes spread her smiling Cheeks;
Witty her Air; soft every Grace,
And 'tis eternal Musick when she speaks,
From which young listening Gods the Accents take }
And when they wou'd a perfect Conquest make, }
Teach their young favourite Lover so to speak. }

2.

Her Neck, on which all careless fell her Hair, }
Her half discover'd rising Bosome bare, }
Were beyond Nature formed; all Heavenly fair. }
Tempting her dress, loose with the Wind it flew,
Discovering Charms that wou'd alone subdue;
Her soft white slender Hands whose touches wou'd
Beget desire even in an awful God;
Long Winter'd Age to tenderness wou'd move,
And in his Frozen Blood, bloom a new spring of Love.

All these at once my Ravisht Senses charm'd,
And with unusual Fires my Bosome warm'd.
Thus my fixt Eyes pursu'd the lovely Maid,
Till they had lost her in the envied Glade;
Yet still I gaz'd, as if I still had view'd
The Object, which my new desires pursu'd.
Lost while I stood; against my Will, my sight
Conducted me unto a new delight.
Twelve little Boats were from the Banks unty'd,
And towards our Vessel sail'd with wondrous Pride,
With wreathes of Flowers and Garlands they were drest,
Their Cordage all of Silk and Gold consist,
Their Sails of silver'd Lawn, and Tinsel were,
Which wantonly were ruffled in the Air.
As many little Cupids gayly clad,
Did Row each Boat, nor other guides they had.
A thousand Zephires Fann'd the moving Fleet,
Which mixing with the Flow'rs became more sweet,
And by repeated Kisses did assume
From them a scent that did the Air perfume.
So near us this delightful Fleet was come,
We cou'd distinguish what the Cupid's sung,
Which oft with charming Notes they did repeat,
With Voices such as I shall ne're forget.

You that do seek with Amorous desires,
To tast the Pleasures of the Life below,
Land on this Island, and renew your Fires,
For without Love, there is no joy, you know.

Then all the Cupids waiting no Commands,
With soft inviting Smiles present their Hands,
And in that silent Motion seem'd to say,
You ought to follow, where Love leads the way.
Mad with delight, and all transported too,
I quitted Reason, and resolv'd to go;
For that bright charming Beauty I had seen,
And burnt with strange desire to see again,
Fill'd with new hope, I laught at Reasons force,
And towards the Island, bent my eager Course;
The Zephires at that instant lent their Aid,
And I into Loves Fleet was soon convey'd,
And by a thousand Friendships did receive,
Welcomes which none but God's of Love cou'd give.
Many possest with my Curiosity,
Tho' not inspir'd like me, yet follow'd me,
And many staid behind, and laught at us:
And in a scoffing tone reproacht us thus,

Farewel, Adventurers, go search the Joy,
Which mighty Love inspires, and you shall find,
The treatment of the wond'rous Monarch Boy,
In's Airy Castle always soft and kind.

We on the fragrant Beds of Roses laid, }
And lull'd with Musick which the Zephires made, }
When with the Amorous silken Sails they plaid, }
Rather did them as wanting Wit account
Then we in this affair did Judgment want,
With Smiles of pity only answer'd them,
Whilst they return'd us pitying ones again.
Now to the wisht for Shoar, with speed we high;
Vain with our Fate, and eager of our Joy,
And as upon the Beach we landed were,
An awful Woman did to us repair.
Goddess of Prudence! who with grave advice,
Counsels the heedless Stranger to be Wise;
She guards this Shoar, and Passage does forbid,
But now blind Sense her Face from us had hid;
We pass'd and dis-obey'd the heavenly Voice,
Which few e'er do, but in this fatal place.
Now with impatient hast, (but long in vain) }
I seek the Charming Author of my Pain, }
And haunt the Woods, the Groves, and ev'ry Plain. }
I ask each Chrystal Spring, each murmuring Brook,
Who saw my fair, or knows which way she took?
I ask the Eccho's, when they heard her Name?
But they cou'd nothing but my Moans proclaim;
My Sighs, the fleeting Winds far off do bear,
My Charmer, cou'd no soft complaining hear:
At last, where all was shade, where all was Gay; }
On a Brooks Brink, which purling past away, }
Asleep the lovely Maid extended lay; }
Of different Flowers the Cupids made her Bed,
And Rosey Pillows did support her Head.
With what transported Joy my Soul was fill'd,
When I, the Object of my wish beheld!
My greedy View each lovely part survey'd;
On her white Hand, her Blushing Cheek was laid
Half hid in Roses; yet did so appear
As if with those, the Lillys mingled were;
Her thin loose Robe did all her shape betray,
(Her wondrous shape that negligently lay)
And every Tempting Beauty did reveal,
But what young bashful Maids wou'd still conceal;
Impatient I, more apt to hope than fear,
Approacht the Heav'nly sleeping Maid more near;
The place, my flame, and all her Charms invite
To tast the sacred Joys of stoln delight.
The Grove was silent, and no Creature by,
But the young smiling God of Love and I;
But as before the awful shrine, I kneel'd,
Where Loves great Mystery was to be reveal'd,
A Man from out the Groves recess appears,
Who all my boasted Vigor turn'd to fears,
He slackt my Courage by a kind surprize,
And aw'd me with th' Majesty of his Eyes;
I bow'd, and blusht, and trembling did retire,
And wonder'd at the Pow'r that checkt my fire;
So excellent a Mean, so good a Grace,
So grave a Look, such a commanding Face;
In modest Speech, as might well subdue,
Youth's native wildness; yet 'twas gracious too.
A little Cupid waiting by my side,
(Who was presented to me for a guide,)
Beholding me decline, the Sleeping Maid,
To gaze on this Intruder,—Thus he said.

RESPECT.

I.

Him whom you see so awful and severe,
Is call'd Respect, the Eldest Son of Love;
Esteem his Mother is; who every where
Is the best Advocate to all the fair,
And knows the most obliging Arts to move:
Him you must still carress, and by his Grace,
You'll conquer all the Beauties of the Place;
To gain him 'tis not Words will do,
His Rhetorick is the Blush and Bow.

II.

He even requires that you shou'd silent be,
And understand no Language but from Eyes,
Or Sighs, the soft Complaints on Cruelty;
Which soonest move the Heart they wou'd surprize:
They like the Fire in Limbecks gently move.
What words (too hot and fierce) destroy;
These by degrees infuse a lasting Love;
Whilst those do soon burn out the short blaz'd Joy.
These the all-gaining Youth requires,
And bears to Ladies Hearts the Lambent Fires;
And He that wou'd against despair be proof,
Can never keep him Company enough.

Instructed thus, I did my steps direct,
Towards the necessary Grave Respect,
Whom I soon won to favour my design,
To which young LOVE his promis'd aid did joyn.
This wak't Aminta, who with trembling fear,
Wonder'd to see a stranger enter'd there;
With timorous Eyes the Grove she does survey,
Where are my LOVES, she crys! all fled away?
And left me in this gloomy shade alone?
And with a Man! Alas, I am undone.
Then strove to fly; but I all prostrate lay,
And grasping fast her Robe, oblig'd her stay;
Cease, lovely Charming Maid, Oh cease to fear,
I faintly cry'd,—There is no Satyr near;
I am of humane Race, whom Beauty Aws,
And born an humble Slave to all her Laws;
Besides we're not alone within the Grove,
Behold Respect, and the young God of LOVE:
How can you fear the Man who with these two,
In any Shade or hour approaches you?
Thus by degrees her Courage took its place;
And usual Blushes drest again her Face,
Then with a Charming Air, her Hand she gave,
She bade me rise, and said she did believe.
And now my Conversation does permit;
But oh the entertainment of her Wit,
Beyond her Beauty did my Soul surprize,
Her Tongue had Charms more pow'rful than her Eyes!
Ah Lysidas, hadst thou a list'ner been }
To what she said; tho' her thou ne're had'st seen, }
Without that Sense, thou hadst a Captive been. }
Guess at my Fate,—but after having spoke,
Many indifferent things: Her leave she took.
The Night approach't, and now with Thoughts opprest,
I minded neither where, nor when to Rest,
When my Conductor LOVE! whom I pursu'd,
Led to a Palace call'd Inquietude.

INQUIETUDE.

A Neighbouring Villa which derives its name,
From the rude sullen Mistress of the same;
A Woman of a strange deform'd Aspect;
Peevishly pensive, fond of her neglect;
She never in one posture does remain,
Now leans, lyes down, then on her Feet again;
Sometimes with Snails she keeps a lazy pace,
And sometimes runs like Furies in a Chase;
She seldom shuts her watchful Eyes to sleep,
Which pale and languid does her Visage keep;
Her loose neglected Hair disorder'd grows;
Which undesign'd her Fingers discompose;
Still out of Humour, and deprav'd in Sense,
And Contradictive as Impertinence;
Distrustful as false States-men, and as nice
In Plots, Intrigues, Intelligence and Spies.

To her we did our Duty pay, but she
Made no returns to our Civility.
Thence to my Bed; where rest in vain I sought, }
For pratling LOVE still entertain'd my thought, }
And to my Mind, a thousand Fancies brought: }
Aminta's Charms and Pow'rful Attractions,
From whence I grew to make these soft Reflections.

The REFLECTION.

I.

What differing Passions from what once I felt,
My yielding Heart do melt,
And all my Blood as in a Feaver burns,
Yet shivering Cold by turns.
What new variety of hopes and fears?
What suddain fits of Smiles and Tears?
Hope! Why dost thou sometimes my Soul imploy
With Prospects of approaching Joy?
Why dost thou make me pleas'd and vain,
And quite forget last minutes pain?
What Sleep wou'd calm, Aminta keeps awake;
And I all Night soft Vows and Wishes make.
When to the Gods I would my Prayers address,
And sue to be forgiven,
Aminta's name, I still express,
And Love is all that I confess,
Love and Aminta! Ever out Rival Heaven!

II.

Books give me no content at all;
Unless soft Cowly entertain my Mind,
Then every pair in Love I find;
Lysander him, Aminta her, I call:
Till the bewitching Fewel raise the fire;
Which was design'd but to divert,
Then to cool Shades I ragingly retire,
To ease my hopeless panting Heart,
Yet thereto every thing begets desire.
Each flowry Bed, and every loanly Grove,
Inspires new Wishes, new impatient Love.

[Sidenote A: Little Arts to please.]

Thus all the Night in vain I sought repose,
And early with the Sun next day, I rose;
Still more impatient grew my new desires,
To see again the Author of my Fires,
Love leads me forth, to little [A]CARES we pass,
Where Love instructed me Aminta was;
Far from Inquietude this Village stands,
And for its Beauty all the rest commands;
In all the Isle of Love, not one appears,
So ravishingly Gay as Little Cares.

Little CARES, or Little Arts to please.

I.

Thither all the Amorous Youth repair,
To see the Objects of their Vows;
No Jealousies approach 'em there;
They Banish Dulness and Despair;
And only Gayety and Mirth allow.
The Houses cover'd o're with flow'rs appear,
Like fragrant Arbours all the year,
Where all the dear, the live-long day,
In Musick, Songs, and Balls is past away:
All things are form'd for pleasure and delight,
Which finish not but with the Light;
But when the Sun returns again,
They hold with that bright God an equal Reign.

II.

There no Reproaches dwell; that Vice
Is banisht with the Coy and Nice.
The Froward there learn Complyance;
There the Dull Wise his Gravity forsakes,
The Old dispose themselves to Dance,
And Melancholy wakens from his Trance,
And against Nature sprightly Humour takes.
The formal States-man does his Int'rest quit,
And learns to talk of Love and Wit;
There the Philosopher speaks Sense,
Such as his Mistress Eyes inspire;
Forgets his learned Eloquence,
Nor now compares his Flame to his own Chimick fire.

III.

The Miser there opens his Golden heaps,
And at Love's Altar offers the rich Prize;
His needless fears of want does now despise,
And as a lavish Heir, he Treats and Reaps
The Blessings that attend his grateful Sacrifice.
Even the Fluttering Coxcomb there
Does less ridiculous appear:
For in the Crowd some one unlucky Face,
With some particular Grimmas,
Has the ill fate his Heart to gain, }
Which gives him just the Sense to know his pain; }
Whence he becomes less talkative and vain. }
There 'tis the Muses dwell! that sacred Nine,
Who teach the inlarged Soul to prove,
No Arts or Sciences Divine,
But those inspired by Them and Love!
Gay Conversation, Feast, and Masquerades,
Agreeable Cabals, and Serinades;
Eternal Musick, Gladness, Smiles and Sport,
Make all the bus'ness of this Little Court.

At my approach new Fires my Bosom warm;
New vigor I receive from every Charm:
I found invention with my Love increase;
And both instruct me with new Arts to please;
New Gallantrys I sought to entertain,
And had the Joy to find 'em not in vain;
All the Extravagance of Youth I show,
And pay'd to Age the Dotage I shall owe;
All a beginning Passion can conceive,
What beauty Merits, or fond Love can give.
With diligence I wait Aminta's look,
And her decrees from Frowns or Smiles I took,
To my new fixt resolves, no stop I found,
My Flame was uncontroul'd and knew no bound;
Unlimited Expences every day
On what I thought she lik'd, I threw away:
My Coaches, and my Liverys, rich and new,
In all this Court, none made a better show.
Aminta here was unconfin'd and free,
And all a well-born Maid cou'd render me
She gave: My early Visits does allow,
And more ingagingly receives me now,
Her still increasing Charms, Her soft Address, }
Partial Lover cannot well Express, }
Her Beautys with my flame each hour increase. }
'Twas here my Soul more true content receiv'd,
Then all the Duller hours of Life I'd liv'd.
—But with the envying Night I still repair
To Inquietude; none lodge at Little Care.
The hasty Minutes summon me away, }
While parting pains surmount past hours of Joy, }
And Nights large Reckoning over-pays the day. }
The GOD of Sleep his wonted Aid denys;
Lends no Repose, or to my Heart or Eyes:
Only one hour of Rest the breaking Morning brought,
In which this happy Dream Assail'd my Thought,

The DREAM.

All Trembling in my Arms Aminta lay,
Defending of the Bliss I strove to take;
Raising my Rapture by her kind delay,
Her force so charming was and weak.
The soft resistance did betray the Grant,
While I prest on the Heaven of my desires;
Her rising Breasts with nimbler Motions Pant;
Her dying Eyes assume new Fires.
Now to the height of languishment she grows,
And still her looks new Charms put on;
—Now the last Mystery of Love she knows,
We Sigh, and Kiss: I wak'd, and all was done.

'Twas but a Dream, yet by my Heart I knew,
Which still was Panting, part of it was true:
Oh how I strove the rest to have believ'd;
Asham'd and Angry to be undeceiv'd!
But now LOVE calls me forth; and scarce allows
A moment to the Gods to pay my Vows:
He all Devotion has in disesteem,
But that which we too fondly render him:
LOVE drest me for the day; and both repair,
With an impatient hast to Little Care;
Where many days m' advantage I pursu'd,
But Night returns me to Inquietude;
There suffer'd all that absent Lovers griev'd,
And only knew by what I felt I liv'd;
A thousand little Fears afflict my Heart,
And all its former order quite subvert;
The Beauty's which all day my hope imploy'd,
Seem now too excellent to be enjoy'd.
I number all my RIVALS over now,
Then Raving Mad with Jealousie I grow,
Which does my Flame to that vast height increase;
That here I found, I lov'd to an Excess:
These wild Distractions every Night increase,
But day still reconciles me into Peace;
And I forget amidst their soft Delights,
The unimagin'd torment of the Nights.
'Twas thus a while I liv'd at Little Care,
Without advance of Favour or of fear,
When fair Aminta from that Court departs,
And all her Lovers leave with broken Hearts,
On me alone she does the Grace confer,
In a Permission I shou'd wait on her.
Oh with what eager Joy I did obey!
Joy, which for fear it shou'd my Flame betray,
I Veil'd with Complisance; which Lovers Eyes
Might find transported through the feign'd disguise;
But hers were unconcern'd; or wou'd not see,
The Trophies of their new gain'd Victory:
Aminta now to Good Reception goes;
A place which more of Entertainment shows
Then State or Greatness; where th'Inhabitants,
Are Civil to the height of Complisance;
They Treat all Persons with a chearful Grace,
And show 'em all the pleasures of the Place;
By whose Example bright Aminta too,
Confirm'd her self, and more obliging grew.
Her Smiles and Air more Gracious now appear;
And her Victorious Eyes more sweetness wear:
The wonderous Majesty that drest her Brow,
Becomes less Awful, but more Charming now:
Her Pride abating does my Courage warm,
And promises success from every Charm.
She now permits my Eyes, with timorous Fears,
To tell her of the Wounds she'as made by hers,
Against her Will my Sighs she does approve,
And seems well pleas'd to think they come from Love.
Nothing oppos'd it self to my delight,
But absence from Aminta every Night.
But LOVE, who recompences when he please,
And has for every Cruelty an ease;
Who like to bounteous Heaven, assigns a share
Of future Bliss to those that suffer here:
Led me to HOPE! A City fair and large,
Built with much Beauty, and Adorn'd with Charge.

HOPE.

'Tis wonderous Populous from the excess,
Of Persons from all parts that thither press:
One side of this magnifick City stands,
On a foundation of unfaithful Sands;
Which oftentimes the glorious Load destroys,
Which long designing was with Pomp and Noise;
The other Parts well founded neat and strong,
Less Beautiful, less Business, and less Throng.
'Tis built upon a Rivers Bank, who's clear
And Murmuring Glide delights the Eye and Ear.

The River of PRETENSION.

This River's call'd Pretension; and its source
T' a bordering Mountain owes, from whence with force,
It spreads into the Arms of that calm space,
Where the proud City dayly sees her face;
'Tis treacherously smooth and falsly fair,
Inviting, but undoing to come near;
'Gainst which the Houses there find no defence,
But suffer undermining Violence;
Who while they stand, no Palaces do seem
In all their Glorious Pomp to equal them.

This River's Famous for the fatal Wrecks,
Of Persons most Illustrious of both Sex,
Who to her Bosom with soft Whispers drew,
Then basely smil'd to see their Ruin too.
'Tis there so many Monarchs perisht have,
And seeking Fame alone have found a Grave.
'Twas thither I was tempted too, and LOVE
Maliciously wou'd needs my Conduct prove;
Which Passion now to such a pass had brought,
It gave admittance to the weakest thought,
And with a full carreer to this false Bay
I ran. But met Precaution in my way.
With whom Respect was, who thus gravely said,
Pretension is a River you must Dread:
Fond Youth, decline thy fatal Resolution,
Here unavoidably thou meets Confusion;
Thou fly'st with too much hast to certain Fate,
Follow my Counsel, and be Fortunate.

Asham'd, all Blushing I decline my Eyes,
Yet Bow'd and Thank'd Respect for his advice.
From the bewitching River straight I hy'd,
And hurried to the Cities farthest side
Where lives the Mighty Princess Hope, to whom
The whole Isle as their ORACLE do come;
Tho' little Truth remains in what she says,
Yet all adore her Voice, and her Wise Conduct praise.

The Princess HOPE.

I.

She blows the Youthful Lovers flame,
And promises a sure repose;
Whilst with a Treason void of shame,
His fancy'd Happiness o're-throws.
Her Language is all soft and fair }
But her hid Sense is naught but Air, }
And can no solid reason bear; }
As often as she speaks,
Her faithless Word she breaks;
Great in Pretension, in Performance small,
And when she Swears 'tis Perjury all.
Her Promises like those of Princes are,
Made in Necessity and War,
Cancell'd without remorse, at ease,
In the voluptuous time of Peace.

II.

These are her qualities; but yet
She has a Person full of Charms,
Her Smiles are able to beget
Forgiveness for her other harms;
She's most divinely shap'd, her Eyes are sweet,
And every Glance to please she does employ,
With such address she does all persons treat
As none are weary of her flattery,
She still consoles the most afflicted Hearts,
And makes the Proud vain of his fancy'd Arts.

Amongst the rest of those who dayly came,
T' admire this Princess, and oblige their flame,
(Conducted thither by a false report, }
That Happiness resided in her Court) }
Two young successless Lovers did resort: }
One, so above his Aim had made pretence,
That even to Hope, for him, was Impudence;
Yet he 'gainst Reasons Arguments makes War,
And vainly Swore, his Love did merit her.
Boldly Attempted, daringly Addrest,
And with unblushing Confidence his flame confest.
The other was a Bashful Youth, who made
His Passion his Devotion, not his Trade;
No fond opiniater, who a price
Sets on his Titles, Equipage, or Eyes,
But one that had a thousand Charms in store,
Yet did not understand his Conquering Pow'r:
This Princess with a kind Address receives
These Strangers; and to both new Courage gives.
She animates the haughty to go on!
Says—A Town long besieg'd must needs be won.
Time and Respect remove all obstacles,
And obstinate Love arrives at Miracles.
Were she the Heir to an illustrious Crown,
Those Charms, that haughty meen, that fam'd renown,
That wond'rous skill you do in Verse profess,
That great disdain of common Mistresses;
Can when you please with aid of Billet Deux,
The Royal Virgin to your Arms subdue,
One skill'd in all the Arts to please the fair,
Shou'd be above the Sense of dull despair:
Go on, young noble Warrier, then go on,
Though all the fair are by that Love undone.
Then turning to the other: Sir, said she,
Were the bright Beauty you Adore like me,
Your silent awful Passion more wou'd move,
Than all the bold and forward Arts of Love.
A Heart the softest composition forms,
And sooner yields by treaty, then by storms;
A Look, a Sigh, a Tear, is understood,
And makes more warm disorders in the Blood,
Has more ingaging tender Eloquence,
Then all the industry of Artful Sense:
So falling drops with their soft force alone
Insinuate kind impressions in obdurate stone.
But that which most my pity did imploy,
Was a young Hero, full of Smiles and Joy.
A noble Youth to whom indulgent Heaven,
Had more of Glory then of Virtue given;
Conducted thither by a Politick throng,
The Rabble Shouting as he past along.
Whilst he, vain with the beastly Din they make,
(Which were the same, if Bears were going to stake)
Addresses to this faithless Flatterer;
Who in return, calls him, young God of War!
The Cities Champion! and his Countries Hope,
The Peoples Darling, and Religious Prop.
Scepters and Crowns does to his view expose;
And all the Fancied pow'r of Empire shows.
In vain the Vision he wou'd dis-believe,
In spight of Sense she does his Soul deceive:
He Credits all! nor ask's which way or how,
The dazling Circle shall surround his Brow;
Implicitly attends the flattering Song,
Gives her his easy Faith, and is undone.
For with one turn of State the Frenzy's heal'd,
The Blind recover and the Cheats reveal'd.
Whilst all his Charms of Youth and Beauty lies,
The kind reproach of pitying Enemies.
To me she said, and smiling as she spoke,
Lisander, you with Love have Reason took,
Continue so, and from Aminta's Heart
Expect what Love and Beauty can impart.
I knew she flatter'd, yet I cou'd not choose
But please my Self, and credit the Abuse;
Her charming Words that Night repos'd me more,
Then all the grateful Dreams I'd had before.
Next day I rose, and early with the Sun;
Love guided me to Declaration,
A pleasant City built with Artful Care,
To which the Lovers of the Isle repair.
In our pursuit Respect dissatisfy'd,
Did the unreasonable Adventure chide;
Return, unheedy Youth, cry'd he, return!
Let my advice th' approaching danger warn:
Renounce thy Purpose and thy haste decline,
Or thou wilt ruine all Loves great design;
Amaz'd I stood, and unresolv'd t' obey,
Cou'd not return, durst not pursue my way;
Whilst LOVE, who thought himself concern'd as Guide
I'th' Criminal Adventure, thus reply'd: