Some die, yet never are believed; COME CHLORIS. Come, Chloris, hie we to the bower, Will ope to thee as to the sun. [From "The Academy of Compliments," 1671.] CONSTANCY. JOHN WILMOT, LORD ROCHESTER. Born 1648-Died 1680. I cannot change, as others do, Since that poor swain who sighs for you No, Phillis, no, your heart to move, And to revenge my slighted love, When killed with grief, Amyntas lies; And you to mind shall call The sighs that now unpitied rise, The tears that vainly fall: That welcome hour that ends this smart, Will then begin your pain; For such a faithful tender heart Can never break in vain. [The Songs of the celebrated Lord Rochester, are his only writings free from indecency. Horace Walpole happily characterised his verse as having "much more obscenity than wit, more wit than poetry, more poetry than politeness."] AN IMITATION OF CORNELIUS GALLUS. JOHN WILMOT, LORD. ROCHESTER. My Goddess Lydia, heavenly fair, Let loose thy tresses, spread thy charms, O let me gaze on those bright eyes, Give me ambrosia in a kiss, Why draws't thou from the purple flood FROM ANACREON. JOHN WILMOT, LORD ROCHESTER. Vulcan, contrive me such a cup Make it so large, that, fill'd with sack Engrave not battle on his cheek, With war I've nought to do; Let it no name of planets tell, For I am no Sir Sydrophel, Nor none of his relations. But carve thereon a spreading vine, Their limbs in am'rous folds entwine, Cupid and Bacchus my saints are, WHILST ON THOSE LOVELY LOOKS I GAZE. JOHN WILMOT, LORD ROCHESTER. Whilst on those lovely looks I gaze, His fate is too aspiring, Whose heart, broke with a load of love, But if this murder you'd forego, Let me your art of charming know, But whether life or death betide, FROM ALL UNEASY PASSIONS FREE. JOHN SHEFFIELD, DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM. Born about 1650-Died 1721 From all uneasy passions free, Safe from your eyes, I fear'd no griefs, but then I found no joys. Amidst a thousand kind desires; 'Tis worth a life to die within your arins. VOL. I. K |