FAIR, SWEET, AND YOUNG. JOHN DRYDEN. FAIR, Sweet, and young, receive a prize As I from thousand beauties more Your face for conquest was design'd; No graces can your form improve, But all are lost unless you love; While that sweet passion you disdain, In pity then prevent my fate, For after dying all reprieve's too late. YE HAPPY SWAINS. Sir GEORGE ETHEREDGE, born about 1636, died 1683. Music by DAMASENE, in Ritson's "Select Collection of English Songs." YE happy swains, whose hearts are free Take warning, and be taught by me Since thence we can such treasures raise, Let's no expense refuse, In love let's lay out all our days: How can we e'er be poor, When every blessing that we use THOUGH When I lov'd thee thou wert fair, Thou art no longer so: Those glories, all the pride they wear Unto opinion owe. Beauties, like stars, in borrow'd lustre shine, And 'twas my love that gave thee thine. The flames that dwelt within thine eye Thy brightest graces fade and die At once with my desire. Love's fires thus mutual influence return; Then proud Celinda, hope no more Since by thy scorn thou dost restore NOT, Celia, that I juster am Or better than the rest; For I would change each hour, like them, For I am tied to very thee All that in woman is ador'd Why then should I seek further store, When change itself can give no more, THE LOVER'S VOW. BISHOP ATTERBURY, born 1662, died 1732. FAIR Sylvia, cease to blame my youth For men, till they have learn'd the truth, My heart, 'tis true, hath often rang'd, And many a thousand loves hath chang'd, But, Sylvia, when I saw those eyes, Stars might as well forsake the skies, When I from this great rule do err, New beauties to adore, May I again turn wanderer, |