Truth will prevail, and may not be deny’d:A lovely woman is Creation’s Pride.By Condescension, wheresoe’er she goes.She makes the Desart blossom as the Rose.Weak in her person, mighty in her charm,Commands Compassion and provokes Alarm.Her smiles and conversation, be she kind,Delight the Sense and elevate the Mind;And if she check our gallantry perforce,Sweet is Correction from so sweet a source.Disdaining Pomp, she rules by Love alone,Beauty her sceptre, Modesty her throne.And now, O Muse, let Lachrymation flow,In gentle Tribute to thy Poet’s woe,Who finds himself, though kindled in her flame,Wedded by Folly to a prior Claim.Yet stay! For how could such an One as he,Aspire to win her young Felicity!And how . . .
