A HYMN to VENUS, IN IMITATION of SAPHO

Venus, Queen of tender Fires, Pleasing Pains, and soft Desires; Sweet Enslaver of the Heart, Here thy gentle Aid impart; To my mourning Soul give Ease, And bid my soft Complainings cease.

Hither beauteous Goddess move, Leave a while th' Idalian Grove; Once more to my transported Breast, Come a mild, a grateful Guest; There confirm thy pleasing Reign, Free from Cares, and free from Pain.

Oh! if e'er my artless Strains, By Thee inspired, breath'd thy Pains; Propitious now thy Suppliant hear, And grant a Lover's ardent Pray'r? Ah! let me not despairing mourn, But meet a kind, a wish'd Return.

Make Philander feel my Pow'r, Fear my Scorn, my Smiles adore, Let the dear Deceiver know, All the Pains he can bestow: To me that valued Heart resign, And fix the lovely Wand'rer mine.