They an inglorious freedom boast; I triumph in my chain; Nor am I unreveng'd, though lost, Nor you unpunish'd, though unjust, When I alone, who love you most, Am kill'd with your disdain. SIR FRANCIS FANE. This author, who was grandson to the earl of Westmoreland, and knight of the bath, is very highly commended by Langbaine. Besides a few poems printed in Tate's Miscellanies, he published two plays, viz. “Love in the Dark,” a comedy, 1675, and “The Sacrifice,” a tragedy, 1686; and a masque. The following is extracted from his comedy. SONG. CUPID, I scorn to beg the art If she be coy, my airy mind Brooks not a siege; if she be kind, Love is a game; hearts are the prize; When either's won The game is done. Love is a coward, hunts the flying prey, But when it once stands still, Love runs away. UNCERTAIN AUTHORS. SONG. [From “The Academy of Compliments,” edit. 1671.] COME, Chloris, hie we to the bower, And if a flower but chance to die With my sighs' blast or mine eyes' rain, Thou can'st revive it with thine eye, And with thy breath make sweet again. The wanton suckling, and the vine, Will strive for th' honour, who first may With their green arms encircle thine, To keep the burning sun away. [From " Windsor Drollery," London, 1672.] CUPID once was weary grown With women's errands-laid him down On a refreshing rosy bed: The same sweet covert harboured A bee; and as she always had A quarrel with love's idle lad, Stings the soft boy: pain and strong fears Straight melt him into cries and tears. As wings and feet would let each other, Home he hastens to his mother; Then on her knees he hangs his head, And cries, “ O mother, I am dead! "An ugly snake, they call a bee, "(O see it swell) hath murder'd me.” Venus with smiles replied, “O`sir, "Does a bee's sting make all this stir? "Think what pains then attend those darts "Wherewith thou still art wounding hearts "E'en let it smart!-may chance that then "Thou❜lt learn more pity towards men." |