More than half a thousand attractions should die, Not a feature should charm as it did. But for Kitty, since she had not given offence, But was innocent, humble, and meek, On her forehead should flourish good humour and sense To atone for the blot on her cheek. The Muses and Graces should in her delight, And, to pay for the charms she had lost, Should contend with each other, from morning to night, To see which could adorn her the most.' So was Hebe disgrac'd with a leer and a frown, A lovelier charmer was never sent down To be courted by mortals below. A QUESTION PROPOSED AND EXPLAINED TO KITTY. WHENCE came the blemish on thy face? Did Hebe cause the stain, Did Nature's self her work disgrace No, 'twas the Priest, who seldom went Mistook the chalice for the font, And christen'd thee with wine: Or the pure element, distress'd At Angel-looks so meek, Thought thee another Saviour-guést, * The author here alludes to a well-known beautiful line, said to have been written by Dryden, upon the Miracle of Cana: Lympha pudica Deum vidit et erubuit When God appear'd, the conscious water blush'd. So Heaven forbade with timely spot That beauty to aspire, Which, had it blaz'd without a blot, Had set the world on fire. VERSES OCCASIONED BY AN ACCIDENT. IT chanc'd, her gay triumph to check, Came asunder, and fell from its place. Be it mine, said the youth at her side, It shall rest where it is, she replied, Lest my own should be pilfer'd away. Ay, bind it, he answer'd with zeal, O for charity give it a chain ; For none that has power to steal Will have virtue enough to refrain. ADDRESS TO HIS FATHER. DEPARTED Soul, whose sudden calm decease TO AMANDA. IF Prometheus, my charmer, complain'd When he stole only fire from above; Shalt thou 'scape the Thunderer's blow, Who hast plunder'd all nature below, Who hast stol'n all the beauties of heaven ? O no, thou no longer shalt stray From the fetters of punishment free; Mighty Jove the vast wrong shall repay, And chain thee for ever-to me. |