T O E T R Y. 421 



Not she for whom Dardanian Troy was lost. 



The pride of nature, and her ccuntry's boast ; 



Nor she, who bade the Macedonian's hand 



Hurl at Persepolis the blazing brand. 



Nor Phxdra, nor Ariadne, still more fair, 



Could with the Sorceress of Nile compare ; - * 



In her, not face and shape alone could please, 



(Though with unrivat'd grace she charm'd by these), 



But the whole store of Cytherea's wiles. 



Sighs, gentlest buiudislunents, and ambush'd smiles ; 



The ready tear, the blush of welUfeign'd truth, 



And the ripe woman, tresh as new-sprung youth. 



Beneath her reseat palms the luie, compress'd, 



Chas'd thought and trouble from the anxious breast 



In dulcet bonds the imprison'd soul she held, 



While the sweet chords her warbling voice excell'd. 



A thousand forms the Ryren could put on, 



And seem as many mistresses in one 5 



Serious or sportive, as the mood requir'd. 



No whim grew irksome, and no frolic tir'd } 



Enough of coyness to provoke desire, 



Of warmth enough to share the amorous fire, 



All, her delighted lovers could receive, 



Secm'd but fond earnests she had more to give ; 



Nor with possession was the promise o'er. 



Love's fruit and slower at once her bosom bore ; 



No languid pause of bliss near her was knovrn. 



But with new joye new hours came laughing on. 



By arts like these was v.iser Julius won, 



And Antony, more fond, was more undone. 



His soul, enamour'd, to the wanton clung, 



Glow'd at her eyes, or melted from her tongue ; 



I^uU'd in the dear Elysium ,of her arips, 



Nor interest moves him, nor :an\bition warms : 



Sometimes, with short remorse, he look'd within, 



But kept at once the conscience and the sin : 



In vain he saw the yawning ruia nigh ; 



Content with her, he bade the world go by ; 



He sought no covert of the friendly shade, 



'Twas half the zest to have his shame display'd, 



He deem'dit still his best exchange through life, 



A melting mistress for a railing wife. 



Perpetual orgies unabasli'd they keep, 



Wine fires their veins, and revels banish sleep : ■> 



■Timbrels and songs, and feasts of deaf'ning joy, 



By arts till then unknown, forbore to cloy. 



Sec for one banquet a whole kingdom sink. 



And gems dissolv'd, impearl her luscious drink. 



E c 3 Pkasurc 



