What Deidamia did in days of yore,
The tale is old but worth the telling o'er.
When Venus had the golden apple gain'd,
And the just judge fair Helen had obtained;
When she with triumph was at Troy receiv'd,
The Trojans joyful, while the Grecians griev'd:
They vow'd revenge of violated laws,
And Greece was arming in the cuckold's cause;
Achilles, by his mother warn'd from war,
Disguis'd his sex, and lurk'd among the fair.
What means Aeacides to spin and sew ?
With spear and sword in field thy valour show!
And leaving this, the noble Pallas know.58
Why dost thou in that hand the distaff wield,
Which is more worthy to sustain the shield?
Or with that other draw the woolly twine,
The same the fates for lector's thread assign?
Banish thy falchion in thy powerful hand,
Which can alone the pond'rous lance command.
In the same room by chance the royal maid
Was lodg'd, and, by his seeming sex, betrayed,
Close to her side the youthful hero laid.
I know not how his courtship he began;
But, to her cost, she found it was a man.
'Tis thought she struggled, but withal 'tis thought
Her wish was to be conquer'd, when she fought.
For when disclos'd, and hast'ning to the field,
He laid his distaff down and took the shield,
With tears her humble suit she did prefer,
And thought to stay the grateful ravisher.
She sighs, she sobs, she begs him not to part;
And now 'tis nature what before was art.
She strives by force her lover to detain,
And wishes to be ravish'd once again.
This is the sex; they will not first begin,
But when compelled, are pleas'd to suffer sin.
Is there, who thinks that woman first should woo?
Lay by thy self-conceit, thou foolish beau.
Begin, and save their modesty the shame;
'Tis well for thee, if they receive thy flame.
'Tis decent for a man to speak his mind;
They but expect th' occasion to be kind.
Ask, that thou may'st enjoy; she waits for this:
And on thy first advance depends thy bliss.
E'en Jove himself was forc'd to sue for love;
None of the nymphs did first solicit Jove.
But if you find your pray'rs increase her pride,
Strike sail awhile, and wait another tide.
They fly when we pursue; but make delay.
And when they see you shaken, they will stay.
Sometimes it profits to conceal your end;
Name not yourself her lover, but her friend.
How many skittish girls have thus been caught?
He prov'd a lover, who a friend was thought.
Sailors by sun and wind are swarthy made;
A tann'd complexion best becomes their trade.
'Tis a disgrace to ploughmen to be fair;
Bluff cheeks they have, and weather-beaten hair.
Th' ambitious youth who seeks an olive crown,
Is sun-burnt with his daily toil, and brown;
But if the lover hopes to be in grace,
Wall be his looks, and meagre be his face.
That colour from the fair compassion draws;
She thinks you sick, and thinks herself the cause.
Orion wander'd in the woods for love.59
His paleness did the nymphs to pity move;
His gastly visage argu'd hidden love.
Nor fail a night-cap in full health to wear;
Neglect thy dress, and discompose thy hair.
All things are decent, that in love avail.
Read long by night, and study to be pale.
Forsake your food, refuse your needful rest;
Be miserable that you may be blest.
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