Not Berenice's locks first rose so bright,
The heav'ns bespangling with dishevell'd light. 130
The sylphs behold it kindling as it flies,
And pleasd pursue its progress through the skies.

This the beau monde shall from the Mall survey,
And hail with music its propitious ray;
This the blest lover shall for Venus take, 135
And send up vows from Rosamonda's lake;
This Partridge soon shall view in cloudless skies,
When next he looks through Galilæo's eyes ;
And hence th’ egregious wizard shall foredoom
The fate of Louis, and the fall of Rome. 140
Then cease, bright nymph! to mourn thy ravish'd

hair,
Which adds new glory to the shining sphere !
Not all the tresses that fair head can boast,
Shall draw such envy as the Lock you lost.
For after all the murders of your eye,

145
When, after millions slain, yourself shall die;
When those fair suns shall set, as set they must,
And all those tresses shall be laid in dust,
This Lock the Muse shall consecrate to fame,
And 'midst the stars inscribe Belinda's name. 150

OR,

THE MERCHANTS TALE.

FROM CHAUCER.

THERE liv'd in Lombardy, as authors write, In days of old, a wise and worthy Knight; Of gentle manners, as of gen'rous race, Blest with much sense, more riches, and some grace; Yet, led astray by Venus' soft delights,

5 He scarce could rule some idle appetites : For long ago, let priests say what they cou'd, Weak sinful laymen were but flesh and blood.

But in due time, when sixty years were o'er, He vow'd to lead this vicious life no more : 10 Whether pure holiness inspir'd his mind, Or dotage turn'd his brain, hard to find; But his high courage prick'd him forth to wed, And try the pleasures of a lawful bed. This was his nightly dream, his daily care, 15 And to the heav'nly pow'rs his constant pray'r, Once, ere he dy'd, to taste the blissful life Of a kind husband and a loving wife.

/

These thoughts he fortify'd with reasons still, (For none want reasons to confirm their will.) 20 Grave authors say, and witty poets sing, That honest wedlock is a glorious thing : But depth of judgment inost in him appears, Who wisely weds in his maturer years. Then let him chuse a damsel young and fair, 25 To bless his age, and bring a worthy heir ; To sooth his cares, and, free from noise and strife, Conduct him gently to the verge of life. Let sinful bachelors their woes deplore, Full well they merit all they feel, and more: 30 Unaw'd hy precepts, human or divine, Like birds and beasts, promiscuously they join; Nor know to make the present blessing last, To hope the future, or esteem the past : But vainly boast the joys they never try'd, 35 And find divulg'd the secrets they would hide. The marry'd man may bear his yoke with ease, Secure at once himself and heav'n to please; And pass his inoffensive hours away, In bliss all night, and innocence all day: 40 Tho' fortune change, his constant spouse remains, Augments his joys, or mitigates his pains.

But what so pure which envious tongues will spare? Some wicked wits have libell'd all the fair.

45

With matchless impudence they style a wife
The dear-bought curse, and lawful plague of life :
A bosom serpent, a domestic evil,
A night-invasion, and a mid-day devil.
Let not the wise these sland'rous words regard,
But curse the bones of ev'ry lying bard.

50
All other goods by Fortune's hand are giv'n,
A wife is the peculiar gift of heav'u.
Vain Fortune's favours, never at a stay,
Like empty shadows, pass and glide away;
One solid comfort, our eternal wife

55 Abundantly supplies us all our life : This blessing lasts (if those who try say true) As long as heart can wish....and longer too.

Our grandsire Adam, ere of Eve possest, Alone, and ev’n in paradise unblest,

60 With mournful looks the blissful scenes survey'd, And wander'd in the solitary shade. The Maker saw, took pity, and bestow'd Woman, the last, and best reserv'd of God. A wife! ah gentle deities! can he

65 That has a wife e'er feel adversity ? Would men but follow what the sex advise, All things would prosper, all the world grow wise. 'Twas by Rebecca's aid that Jacob won His father's blessing from an elder son:

70

Abusive Nabal ow'd his forfeit life
To the wise conduct of a prudent wife:
Heroic Judith, as old Hebrews show,
Preserv'd the Jews, and slew th’ Assyrian foe:
At Esther's suit the persecuting sword

75 Was sheath'd, and Israel liv'd to bless the Lord.

These weighty motives January the sage Maturely ponder'd in his riper age; And, charm'd with virtuous joys, and sober life, Would try that Christian comfort, call'd a Wife. 80 His friends were summon'd on a point so nice To pass their judgment, and to give advice; But fix'd before, and well resolv'd was he, (As men that ask advice are wont to be.)

My friends, he cry'd, (and cast a mournful look Around the room, and sigh'd before he spoke ;) 86 Beneath the weight of threescore years I bend, And, worn with cares, am hastning to my end: How I have liv'd, alas! you know too well, In worldly follies which I blush to tell;

90 But gracious heav'n has op'd my eyes at last, With due regret I view my vices past, And as the precept of the church decrees, Will take a wife, and live in holy ease: But since by counsel all things should be done, 95 And many heads are wiser still than one;