With lovers, -twas of old the fashion
By presents to convey their passion;
No matter what the gift they sent,
The Lady saw that love was meant.
Fair Atalanta, as a favour,
Took the boar-s head her Hero gave her;
Nor could the bristly thing affront her,
-Twas a fit present from a hunter.
When Squires send woodcocks to the dame,
It serves to show their absent flame:
Some by a snip of woven hair,
In posied lockets bribe the fair;
How many mercenary matches
Have sprung from Di-mond-rings and watches!
But hold - a ring, a watch, a locket,
Would drain at once a Poet-s pocket;
He should send songs that cost him nought,
Nor ev-n he prodigal of thought.
Why then send Lampreys? fye, for shame!
-Twill set a virgin-s blood on flame.
This to fifteen a proper gift!
It might lend sixty five a lift.
I know your maiden Aunt will scold,
And think my present somewhat bold.
I see her lift her hands and eyes.
-What eat it, Niece? eat Spanish flies!
-Lamprey-s a most immodest diet:
-You-ll neither wake nor sleep in quiet.
-Should I to night eat Sago cream,
--Twould make me blush to tell my dream;
-If I eat Lobster, -tis so warming,
-That ev-ry man I see looks charming;
-Wherefore had not the filthy fellow
-Laid Rochester upon your pillow?
-I vow and swear, I think the present
-Had been as modest and as decent.
-Who has her virtue in her power?
-Each day has its unguarded hour;
-Always in danger of undoing,
-A prawn, a shrimp may prove our ruin!
-The shepherdess, who lives on salad,
-To cool her youth, controuls her palate;
-Should Dian-s maids turn liqu-rish livers,
-And of huge lampreys rob the rivers,
-Then all beside each glade and Visto,
-You-d see Nymphs lying like Calisto.
-The man who meant to heat your blood,
-Needs not himself such vicious food --
In this, I own, your Aunt is clear,
I sent you what I well might spare:
For when I see you, (without joking)
Your eyes, lips, breasts, are so provoking,
They set my heart more cock-a-hoop,
Than could whole seas of craw-fish soupe.