On the Bear-fac'd Lady.


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  • Too charming Maid, whose Viznomy divine
    Shoots Darts around like any Porcupine!
    Who give to Cupid's Arrows new supplyes,
    Heading 'em from your Face, and not your Eyes,
    Like Cleavland's Lover, Pallizado'd in,
    And fenc'd by the sharp Turn-pikes of your Chin.

    Happy the Man to whom you must disclose
    The flaming Beauties of your Rain-bow Nose!
    What tho' in vain t'approach your Lips he seek?
    He may with leave come near, and kiss your Cheek;
    If, as when Turks expect they should be heard
    At Prayer, you will but turn aside your beard:

    All this were true, tho' Art should you disgrace
    And shew her own, instead of Nature's Face.
    But you discreetly choose the Russian way,
    And closely veyl it till the Wedding-day;
    Not Stega-like, by too sincere a carriage,
    Your Imperfections shew, and mar your Marriage
    You are resolv'd that Faith and Stomach too
    Shall meet in him who must be blest with you
    And by so just a Touch-stone mean to prove
    The Mettal of his Courage and his Love:
    Nay, Ioan, her self, whom he'l i'th dark embrace
    When the Light comes, may have my Lady's Face:
    He has his Chance, it may be good enough
    For all Love's but a Game at Blind-mans buff
    He who to meet a Devil does prepare,
    Like Spencer's Knight, may find an Angel there.
    Missing a Snake, he may at last prevail
    To hold a fat, tho' slipry Eel by th' Tail.
    When Psyche thro' the Air to Cupid rode,
    She fear'd a Dragon, but she found a God.

    Suppose the worst, a Rival's spight has sed
    Here's Spouse enough, tho' she had ne're an Head.
    A just proportion every where behold,
    And Gold, the Cream o'th' Jest, remember Gold;
    Gold! Gold! those subtle Charms must needs prevail;
    Gold! Gold! enow, had she nor Head, nor Tail.
    Sure this must even the flintyest Heart subdue;
    Those Chains, those Pearls, those Lockets, all for you!
    What if no Cubbs bless the ill-natur'd Joys?
    Look, she's already stock'd with yellow Boys;
    And she
    May live like Etheldreda, undefil'd,
    While you
    Lye with her Coin, and get her Bags with Child.

    © Copyright 2000, Nick Page