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Obfcure by Birth, renown'd by Crimes,
Still changing Names, Religions, Climes,
At length the turns a Bride;

In Di'monds, Pearls, and rich Brocades,
She shines the firft of batter'd Jades,
And flutters in her Pride.

So have I known thofe Infects fair,
(Which curious Germans hold fo rare,}
Still vary Shapes and Dyes;

Still gain new Titles with new Forms;
First Grubs obfcene, then wrigling Worms,
Then painted Butterflies.

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
Of Nice, Coquet, Affected, Pert, and Vain.
Jove mix'd up all, and his best Clay employ'd;
Then call'd the happy: Compofition, Floyd.

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,
Attending on a Royal Dame.

The God laid down his feeble Rays,
Then lighted from his glitt'ring Coach,
But fenc'd his Head with his own Bays,
Before he durft the Nymph approach.

Under thofe Sacred Leaves, fecure
From common Lightning of the Skies,
He fondly thought he might endure
The Flashes of Ardelia's Eyes.

The

The Nymph, who oft had read in Books,
Of that bright God whom Bards invoke,
Soon knew Apollo by his Looks,

And guefs'd his Bus'nefs e're he spoke..

He, in the old celestial Cant,

Confefs'd his Flame, and fwore by Styx,
Whate'er fhe would defire, to grant ;'
But wife Ardelia knew his Tricks.

Ovid had warn'd her to beware!

Of ftroling Gods, whofe ufual Trade is,
Under Pretence of taking Air,
To pick up Sublunary Ladies.

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;
Let which I please of all the Nine
Attend whene'er I want their Aid,
Obey my Call, and only mine..

By Vow oblig'd, by Paffion led,

The God could not refufe her Pray'r:
He wav'd his Wreath thrice o'er her Head,

Thrice mutter'd fomething to the Air.

And

And now he thought to feize his Due,
But the the Charm already try'd,
Thalia heard the Call, and flew,"
To wait at bright Ardelia's Side.

On Sight of this Celestial Prude,
Apollo thought it vain to ftay,
Nor in her Prefence durft be rude,
But made his Leg, and went away.

He hop'd to find fome lucky Hour,
When on their Queen the Mufes wait:
But Pallas owns Ardelia's Pow'r, o
For Vows divine are kept by Fate,

Then, full of Rage, Apollo fpoke,
Deceitful Nymph, I fee thy Art:
And tho' I can't my Gift: revoke,
I'll disappoint its nobler Part.

Let ftubborn Pride poffefs thee long,
And be thou négligent of Fame ;
With ev'ry Mufe to grace thy Song,
May't thou defpife a Poet's Name.

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,
May you defcend to take Renown,
Prevail'd on by the Thing you hate,
A Whig, and one that wears a Gown.

*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,
But doom'd it then when firft Ardelia writ.
Of all Examples by the World confest,
I knew Ardelia could not quote the beit ;
Who, like her Mistress on Britannia's Throne;
Fights and fubdues in Quarrels not her own.
To write their Praise you but in vain essay;
Ev'n while you write, you take that Praise away:
Light to the Stars the Sun does thus reftore,
But shines himself till they are feen no more.

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