Abfent he is, yet absent he commands : You know the Proverb, Princes have long Hands. My Fame's my Burthen; for the more I'm prais'd, Were I lefs fair, I might have been more bleft, Put in our Hands by the good eafy Man. You You court with Words, when you fhou'd Force employ, A Rape is requifite to fhame-fac'd Joy: Our Sex can fuffer what we dare not give. What have I faid! for both of us 't were beft, The Faith of Strangers is too prone to change, HYPSIPYLE, and the fond Minoian Maid, Were both by trufting of their Guest betray'd. Should you prevail, while I affign the Night, Some ba vling Mariner our Love destroys, And breaks afunder our unfinish'd Joys. But I with you may leave the Spartan Port, To view the Trojan Wealth, and PRIAM's Court. And fill a foreign Country with my Shame. And what Difhonour leave in Greece behind? Ev'n you, when on this Action you reflect, My future Conduct justly may suspect: And whate'er Stranger lands upon your Coast, I, from your Rage, a Strumpet's Name fhall hear, You, my Crime's Author, will my Crime upbraid : Shoud Shou'd I be injur'd on your Phrygian Shore, I may, like her, believe and be undone. Plain honeft Hearts, like mine, fufpect no Cheat, And Love contributes to its own Deceit. The Ships, about whofe Sides loud Tempests roar, With gentle Winds were wafted from the Shore. Your teeming Mother dreamt a flaming Brand, Sprung from her Womb, confum'd the Trojan Land; To second this, old Prophecies conspire, That Ilium fhall be burnt with Grecian Fire: Both give me Fear, nor is it much allay'd, That VENUS is oblig'd our Loves to aid. For they who loft their Caufe, Revenge will take, And for one Friend two Enemies you make. Nor can I doubt, but should I follow you, The Sword would foon our fatal Crime pursue: A Wrong fo great my Husband's Rage would rouze, And my Relations would his Cause espouse. You boast your Strength and Courage; but, alas! Those Limbs were fashion'd for another Fight. But Time and you may bolder Thoughts infpire You laft demand a private Conference: These are your Words; but I can guess your Sense. For now my Pen has tir'd my tender Hand; Part |