We deem them moderate, but _Enough_ implore,
What barely will suffice, and ask no more:
Who say, (O Jove) _a competency give,
Neither in Luxury, or Want we'd live_.
But what is that, which these _Enough_ do call?
If both the _Indies_ unto some should fall,
Such Wealth would yet _Enough_ but onely be,
And what they'd term not Want, or Luxury.
Among the Suits, _O Jove_, my humbler take;
_A little give, I that Enough will make_.
_The Second_ EPIGRAM.
_On_ BILLINDA.
Wanton _Billinda_ loudly does complain,
I've chang'd my Love of late into disdain:
Calls me unconstant, cause I now adore
The chast _Marcella_, that lov'd her before.
Sin or Dishonour, me as well may blame,
That I repent, or do avoid a shame.
The Third EPIGRAM.
_On an_ ATHEIST.
_Posthumus_ boasts he does not Thunder fear,
And for this cause would Innocent appear;
That in his Soul no Terrour he does feel,
At threatn'd Vultures, or _Ixion_'s Wheel,
Which fright the Guilty: But when _Fabius_ told
What Acts 'gainst Murder lately were enrol'd,
'Gainst Incest, Rapine,----straight upon the Tale
His Colour chang'd, and _Posthumus_ grew pale.
His Impious Courage had no other Root,
But that the Villaine, Atheist was to boot.
_The Fourth_ EPIGRAM.
_On_ GALLA.
Now liquid Streams by the fierce Cold do grow
As solid as the Rocks from whence they flow;
Now _Tibers_ Banks with Ice united meet,
And it's firm Stream may well be term'd its Street;
Now Vot'ries 'fore the Shrines like Statues show,
And scarce the Men from Images we know;
Now Winters Palsey seizes ev'ry Age,
And none's so warm, but feels the Seasons Rage;
Even the bright Lillies and triumphant Red
Which o're _Corinna_'s youthful cheeks are spred,
Look pale and bleak, and shew a purple hew,
And Violets staine, where Roses lately grew.
_Galla_ alone, with wonder we behold,
Maintain her Spring, and still out-brave the Cold;
Her constant white does not to Frost give place,
Nor fresh Vermillion fade upon her face:
Sure Divine beauty in this Dame does shine?
Not Humane, one reply'd, yet not Divine.
A Farewel
To Worldly Joys.
Farewel ye Unsubstantial Joyes,
Ye Gilded Nothings, Gaudy Toyes,
Too long ye have my Soul misled,
Too long with Aiery Diet fed:
But now my Heart ye shall no more
Deceive, as you have heretofore:
For when I hear such _Sirens_ sing,
Like _Ithacas_'s fore-warned King,
With prudent Resolution I
Will so my Will and Fancy tye,
That stronger to the Mast not he,
Than I to Reason bound will be:
And though your Witchcrafts strike my Ear,
Unhurt, like him, your Charms I'll hear.
THE
Complaint of a Lover.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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