Like meeting rivers, in one stream they flow,
And no divided joys or forrows know.
Not the bright twins, preferr'd in heaven to shine,
Fair Leda's fons, in fuch a league could join.
One foul, as fables tell, by turns fupply'd
That heavenly pair, by turns they liv'd and dy'd:
But thefe have fworn a matchless sympathy,
They'll live together, or together die.
When Heaven did at Afteria's birth beftow
Those lavish charms, with which she wounds us so,
To form her glorious mind, it did infpire
A double portion of th' æthereal fire,
That half might afterward be thence convey'd,
To animate that other lovely maid.
Thus native inftinct does their hearts combine,
In knots too close for Fortune to untwine.
So India boasts a tree, that spreads around
Its amorous boughs, which bending reach the ground,
Where taking root again, the branches raise
A fecond tree to meet its fond embrace ;
Then fide by fide the friendly neighbours thrive,
Fed by one fap, and in each other live.
Of Phoebe's health we need not fend to know
How Nature strives with her invading foe,
What fymptoms good or ill each day arise;
We read thofe changes in Afteria's eyes.
Thus in some crystal fountain you may spy
The face of heaven, and the reflected sky,
See what black clouds arife, when tempefts lower, 60
And gathering mifts portend a falling shower,
And when the fun breaks out, with conquering ray
To chase the darkness, and restore the day.
Such be thy fate, bright maid! from this decline Arife renew'd thy charms, and doubly shine! And as that dawning planet was addrest With offer'd incenfe by th' adoring east, So we'll with fongs thy glad recovery greet, The Muse shall lay her prefents at thy feet; With open arms, Afteria shall receive The dearest pledge propitious Heaven can give. Fann'd by these winds, your friendship's generous fire Shall burn more bright, and to fuch heights afpire, The wondering world fhall think you from above Come down to teach how happy angels love.
A ME of Dorinda's conquest brought
The god of love her charms to view;
To wound th' unwary maid he thought,
But foon became her conqueft too.
He dropp'd, half drawn, his feeble bow,
He look'd, he rav'd, and fighing pin'd;
And wifh'd in vain he had been now,
As painters falfely draw him, blind.
F 4
Difarm'd, he to his mother flies;
Help, Venus, help thy wretched fon!
Who now will pay us facrifice?
For Love himself's, alas! undone,
To Cupid now no lover's prayer
Shall be addrefs'd in fuppliant fighs;
My darts are gone, but oh beware,
Fond mortals, of Dorinda's eyes.
AROUND your couch whilft fighing lovers view
Wit, beauty, goodness, fuffering all in you;
So mournful is the scene, 'tis hard to tell
Which face betrays the fick, or who is well.
They feel not their own pains, while yours they share,
Worfe tortur'd now, than lately by defpair.
For bleeding veins a like relief is found,
When iron red-hot by burning ftops the wound.
Grant, Heaven, they cry, this moment our defire,
To fee her well, though we the next expire,
YE fwains, whom radiant beauty moves,
Or mufic's art with founds divine,
Think how the rapturous charm improves,
Where two fuch gifts celestial join ;
Where Cupid's bow, and Phoebus' lyre,
In the fame powerful hand are found;
Where lovely eyes inflame defire,
While trembling notes are taught to wound.
Inquire not who's the matchless fair,
That can this double death bestow:
young Harmonia's ftrains you hear,
Or view her eyes, too well you'll know.
CUPID, furvey thy fhining train around
Of favourite nymphs, for conqueft moft renown'd; The lovely warriors that in bright array
Thy power fupport, and propagate thy sway.
Then fay, what beauteous general wilt thou choose,
To lead the fair brigade against thy rebel foes ?
Behold the god advance in comely pride,
Arm'd with his bow, his quiver by his fide:
Inferior Cupids on their mafter wait
He fmiles well pleas'd, and waves his wings in ftate. 10
His little hands imperial trophies bear,
And laurel-wreaths to grace th' elected fair.
Hyde-Park the fcene for the Review he nam'd,
Hyde-Park for pleasure and for beauty fam'd,
Where, oft from western skies the god of light
Sees new-arising funs, than his more bright;
Then fets in blushes, and conveys his fire
To distant lands, that more his beams require.
And now the charming candidates appear:
Behold Britannia's victor graces there,
Who vindicate their country's ancient claim
To Love's pre-eminence, and Beauty's fame.
Some, who, at Anna's court, in honour rais'd,
Adorn birth-nights, by crowding nations prais'd;
Preferv'd in Kneller's pictures ever young,
In ftrains immortal by the Muses fung.
Around the ring th' illustrious rivals move,
And teach to Love himself the power of love.
Scarce, though a god, he can with fafety gaze
On glory fo profufe, fuch mingled rays;
For Love had eyes on this important day,
And Venus from his forehead took the blinding cloth
Here Mira pafs'd, and fix'd his wondering view, Her perfect shape distinguished praises drew;
Tall, beauteous, and majestic to the fight,
She led the train, and sparkled in the light.
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