CXV. OH PHILLADA. H! what a pain is love : She will unconstant prove, She so torments my mind, That my strength faileth, Phillada flouts me. All the fair yesterday And would not spy me: I woo'd her for to dine, But could not get her; Will had her to the wine He might intreat her. ANON. 1658. With Daniel she did dance, Fair maid! be not so coy, Do not disdain me! I am my mother's joy: Sweet! entertain me! A pair of mattrass beds, She hath a clout of mine, Wrought with blue coventry, Which she keeps for a sign Of my fidelity: She shall not wear it ; To Tib, my t' other wench, I mean to bear it. And yet it grieves my heart Death strike me with his dart! Thou shalt eat crudded cream And drink the crystal stream Whig and whey whilst thou lust, Pie-lid and pastry crust, Pears, plums, and cherries; Thy raiment shall be thin, Made of a weevil's skin Yet all's not worth a pin: Fair maiden! have a care, And in time take me; I can have those as fair, If you forsake me: For Doll the dairy maid Laughed at me lately, And wanton Winifred Favours me greatly. One throws milk on my clothes, T'other plays with my nose: What wanting signs are those! Phillada flouts me. I cannot work nor sleep Love wounds my heart so deep, I 'gin to pine away In my love's shadow, Like as a fat beast may Penned in a meadow. I shall be dead, I fear, And all for that my dear Phillada flouts me. CXVI. MATTHEW PRIOR, 1664-1721. TO A CHILD OF QUALITY, FIVE YEARS OLD. MDCCIV. THE AUTHOR L THEN FORTY. ORDS, knights, and squires, the numerous band, That wear the fair Miss Mary's fetters, Were summoned by her high command, My pen amongst the rest I took, Lest those bright eyes that cannot read Should dart their kindling fires, and look, The power they have to be obeyed. Nor quality, nor reputation, Forbid me yet my flame to tell, Dear five years old befriends my passion, For while she makes her silk-worms beds, |