Thither thou know'st the World is best inclin'd,
Where luring Parnass most his Beams imparts;
And Truth convey'd in Verse of gentlest kind,
To read sometimes, will move the dullest Hearts;
So we, if Children young diseas'd we find,
Anoint with Sweets the Vessel's foremost parts,
To make them taste the Potions sharp we give;
They drink deceiv'd, and so deceiv'd they live.
But our Poets seldom imploy this Stanza in Compositions of their own; where the following Stanzas of 8 Verses are most frequent.
Some others may with safety tell
The mod'rate Flames which in them dwell;
And either find some Med'cine there,
Or cure themselves ev'n by Despair:
My Love's so great, that it might prove
Dang'rous to tell her that I love.
So tender is my Wound, it cannot bear
Any Salute, tho' of the kindest Air.Cowl.
Where the Rhymes follow one another, and the six first Verses consist of 8 Syllables each, the two last of 10.
We have another sort of Stanza of 8 Verses, where the 4th rhymes to the 1st, the 3d to the ad, and the four last are two Couplets; and where the 1st, 4th, 6th and 8th, are of 10 Syllables each, the 4 others but of 8; as,
I've often wish'd to love: What shall I do?
Me still the cruel Boy does spare;
And I a double Task must bear,
First to wooe him, and then a Mistress too.
Come at last, and strike for shame,
If thou art any thing besides a Name;
I'll think thee else no God to be,
But Poets, rather, Gods, who first created thee.Cowl.
Another, when the 2 first and 2 last Verses consist of 10 Syllables each, and rhyme to one another, the 4 other but of 8 in alternate Rhyme.
Tho' you be absent hence, I needs must say,
The Trees as beauteous are, and Flowers as gay,
As ever they were wont so be:
Nay the Birds rural Musick too
Is as melodious and free,
As if they sung to pleasure you.
I saw a Rose-bud ope this Morn; I'll swear
The blushing Morning open'd not more fair.Cowl.
Another where the 4 first Verses are two Couplets, the 4 last in alternate Rhyme; as in Cowley's Ode, Of a Lady that made Posies for Rings.
I little thought the time would ever be,
That I should Wit in dwarfish Posies see.
As all Words in few Letters live,
Thou to few Words all Sense dost give.
'Twas Nature taught you this rare Art,
In such a Little Much to shew;
Who all the Good she did impart
To Womankind, epitomis'd in you.