"I'm wholly ignorant; nor know I more, "Or where I am, or whom I do adore : "Instruct me, then, that I no longer may "In darkness serve the goddess I obey." 30 35 40 "Youth!" she reply'd, "this place belongs to one "By whom you'll be, and thousands are, undone. "These pleasant walks, and all these shady bow'rs, "Are in the government of dang'rous pow'rs. "Love's the capricious master of this coast, "This fatal labyrinth, where fools are lost. "I dwell not here amidst these gaudy things, "Whose short enjoyment no true pleasure brings, "But have an empire of a nobler kind; "My regal seat's in the celestial mind, "Where, with a godlike and a peaceful hand, "I rule, and make those happy I command; "For while I govern all within's at rest; "No stormy passion revels in my breast: "But when my pow'r is despicable grown, "And rebel appetites usurp the throne, "The soul no longer quiet thoughts enjoys, "But all is tumult and eternal noise. "Know, Youth! I'm Reason, which you've oft' de"I am that Reason which you never priz'd; 50 "And tho' my argument successless prove, "(For reason seems impertinence in love) "Yet I'll not see my charge (for all mankind "Are to my guardianship by Heav'n assign'd) "Into the grasp of any ruin run 45 [spis'd; "That I can warn 'em of, and they may shun. 55 << Fly, youth! these guilty shades ; retreat in time, << Ere your mistake's converted to a crime; ❝ For ignorance no longer can atone "When once the error and the fault is known. 60 "You thought, perhaps, as giddy youth inclines, "Imprudently, to value all that shines, "In these retirements freely to posses "True joy, and strong substantial happiness: "But here gay Folly keeps her court, and here, 65 "In crowds, her tributary fops appear, "Who, blindly lavish of their golden days, << Consume them all in her fallacious ways. "Pert Love with her, by joint commission, rules "In this capacious realm of idle fools, "Who, by false arts and popular deceits, "The careless, fond, unthinking mortal cheats. "'Tis easy to descend into the snare, 70 75 80 "By the pernicious conduct of the fair; "But safely to return from this abode "Requires the wit, the prudence, of a god; "Tho' you, who have not tasted that delight, "Which only at a distance charms your sight, "May, with a little toil, retrieve your heart, "Which lost, is subject to eternal smart. cc Bright Delia's beauty, I must needs confess, Is truly great, nor would I make it less; "That where to wrong her where she merits most; "But dragons guard the fruit, and rocks the coast; "And who would run, that's moderately wise, 85 "A certain danger for a doubtful prize? "If you miscarry, you are lost so far, 99 "(For there's no erring twice in love and war) "You'll ne'er recover, but must always wear "Those chains you'll find it difficult to bear. 90 "Delia has charms, I own; such charms would move "Old Age and frozen Impotence to love: "But do not venture where such danger lies; "Avoid the sight of those victorious eyes, "Whose pois'nous rays do to the soul impart 95 "Delicious ruin and a pleasing smart. "You draw, insensibly, destruction near, "And love the danger which you ought to fear. "If the light pains you labour under now "Destroy your ease, and make your spirits bow, "You'll find 'em much more grievous to be borne, "When heavier made by an imperious scorn; "Nor can you hope she will your passion hear "With softer notions, or a kinder ear, 104 "Than those of other swains, who always found "She rather widen'd than clos'd up the wound. "But grant she should indulge your flame, and give "Whate'er you'd ask, nay, all you can receive; "The short-liv'd pleasure would so quickly cloy, "Bring such a weak and such a feeble joy, "You'd have but small encouragement to boast "The tinsel rapture worth the pains it cost. 110 Consider, Strephon! soberly of things, "What strange inquietudes love always brings; "The foolish fears, vain hopes, and jealousies, 115 "Which still attend upon this fond disease ; "How you must cringe and bow, submit and whine, "Call ev'ry feature, ev'ry look, divine; "Commend each sentence with an humble smile; "Tho' nonsense, swear it is a heav'nly style; 120 Servilely rail at all she disapproves, "And as ignobly flatter all she loves ; "Renounce your very sense, and silent sit "While she puts off impertinence for wit: "Like setting-dog, new whipp'd for springing game, "You must be made, by due correction, tame. 126 "But if you can endure the nauseous rule "Of women, do; love on, and be a fool. "You know the danger, your own methods use, "The good or evil's in your pow'r to choose: 130 "But who'd expect a short and dubious bliss "On the declining of a precipice, "Where, if he slips, not Fate itself can save "The falling wretch from an untimely grave ?” "Thou great Directress of our minds,” said I, 135 "We safely on your dictates may rely, "And that which you have now so kindly prest "Is true, and, without contradiction, best; "But with a steady sentence to control "The heat and vigour of a youthful soul, "While gay temptations hover in our sight, "And daily bring new objects of delight, "Which on us with surprising beauty smile, "Is difficult, but is a noble toil. 140 "The best may slip, and the most cautious fall; 145 "He's more than mortal that ne'er err'd at all. "And tho' fair Delia has my soul possest, "I'll chase her bright idea from my breast; " At least I'll make one essay: if I fail, "And Delia's charms o'er Reason do prevail, 150 "I may be, sure, from rigid censurés free; "Love was my foe, and Love's a deity.” Then she rejoin'd; " May you succesful prove "In your attempt to curb imperious Love; "Then will proud passion own her rightful lord; 155 "You to yourself, I to my throne, restor❜d: "But to confirm your courage, and inspire "Your resolution with a bolder fire, 160 165 "Follow me, Youth! I'll shew you that shall move 170 175 |