Obfcure by Birth, renown'd by Crimes, In Di'monds, Pearls, and rich Brocades, So have I known thofe Infects fair, Still gain new Titles with new Forms; On Mrs. BIDDY FLOYD. WHEN WHEN Cupid did his Grandfire Jove intreat To form fome Beauty by a new Receipt, Jove fent and found far in a Country Scene, Truth, Innocence, Good-nature, Look ferene; From which Ingredients, firft the dex'trous Boy Pick'd the Demure, the Aukward, and the Coy; The Graces from the Court did next provide Breeding, and Wit, and Air, and decent Pride; Thefe Venus cleans'd from ev'ry fpurious Grain APOLLO outwitted. To the Honourable Mrs. FINCH, under her Name of ARDELIA. HOE BUS now fhort'ning ev'ry Shade, PH Up to the Northern Tropick came, And thence beheld a lovely Maid, The God laid down his feeble Rays, Under thofe Sacred Leaves, fecure The The Nymph, who oft had read in Books, And guefs'd his Bus'nefs e're he spoke.. He, in the old celestial Cant, Confefs'd his Flame, and fwore by Styx, Ovid had warn'd her to beware! Of ftroling Gods, whofe ufual Trade is, Howe'er, fhe gave no flat. Denial, As having Malice in her Heart And was refolv'd upon a Trial, To cheat the God in his own Art. Hear my Requefl, the Virgin faid; By Vow oblig'd, by Paffion led, The God could not refufe her Pray'r: Thrice mutter'd fomething to the Air. And And now he thought to feize his Due, On Sight of this Celestial Prude, He hop'd to find fome lucky Hour, Then, full of Rage, Apollo fpoke, Let ftubborn Pride poffefs thee long, Of modeft Poets be thou firft, To filent Shades repeat thy Verse, Till Fame and Eccho almoft burft, Yet hardly dare one Line rehearse. And And laft, my Vengeance to compleat, *Impromptu, To Lady WINCHELSEA. Occafion'd by four Satyrical Verfes on Women-Wits, in the Rape of the Lock. 'N vain you boaft Poetic Names of yore, suppos we admire no Fate doom'd the Fall of ev'ry Female Wit, |