Hop'd for Success, yet fear'd her sad Disdain, Tortur'd like dying Convicts whilst they live, 'Twixt fear of Death, and hopes of a Reprieve. First for her smallest Favours did I sue, Crept, Fawn'd and Cring'd, as Lovers us'd to do? Sigh'd e'er I spoke, and when I spoke look'd Pale, In words confus'd disclos'd my mournful Tale? Unpractised and Amour's fine Speeches coin'd, But could not utter what I well design'd. Warm'd by her Charms 'gainst Bashfulness I strove, And trembling far, and stammer'd out my Love; Told her how greatly I admir'd and fear'd, Which she 'twixt Coyness and Compassion heard, Grutch'd no Expence of Money, or of Time, And thought that not to adore her was a Crime; The more each Visit I acquainted grew, Yet every time found something in her new. Who was above her Sex so fortunate, She had a Charm for Man in every State; Beauty for the Youthful, Prudence for the Old, Scripture for the Godly, for the Miser Gold; Wit for the Ingenious, silence for the Grave, Flatt'ry for the Fool, and Cunning for the Knave: Compounded thus of such Varieties, } She had a knack to every Temper please, } And as her self thought fit was every one of these. } I lov'd, I sigh'd and vow'd, talk'd, whin'd, and pray'd, And at her Feet my panting Heart I lay'd; She smil'd, then frown'd, was now reserv'd, then free, And as she plaid her part, oft chang'd her Key; Not through Fantastick Humour but Design, To try me throughly e'er she should be mine, Because she wanted in one Man to have, A Husband, Lover, Cuckold and a Slave. So Travellers, before a Horse they buy, His Speed, his Paces, and his Temper try, Whether he'll answer Whip and Spur, thence Judge, If the poor Beast will prove a patient Drudge: When she by wiles had heightned my Desire, And fain'd Love's sparkles to a raging Fire; Made now for Wedlock, or for _Bedlam_ fit. Thus Passion gain'd the upper-hand of Wit, The Dame by pity, or by Interest mov'd, Or else by Lust, pretended now she lov'd; After long-sufferings, her Consent I got. } To make me happy, as I hop'd and thought, } But oh, the wretched hour I ty'd the _Gordian_ Knot. } Thus thro' mistake I rashly plung'd my Life Into that Gulph of Miseries a Wife. With joyful Arms I thus embrac'd my Fare, Believ'd too soon, was undeceiv'd too late; So hair-brain'd Fools to _Indian_ Climates rove, With a vain hope their Fortunes to improve; There spend their slender Cargoes, then become Worse Slaves abroad than e'er they were at home When a few Weeks were wasted I compar'd, With all due moderation and regard, My former freedom, with my new restraint, Judging which State afforded most content. But found a single Life as calm and gay, As the delightful Month of blooming _May_, Not chill'd with Cold, or scorch'd with too much heat. } Not plagu'd with flying Dust, nor drown'd with wet, } But pleasing to the Eyes, and to the Nostrils sweet. }