To A Friend, On The Different Success Of Their Loves.[1]

Thrice happy pair! of whom we cannot know Which first began to love, or loves most now; Fair course of passion! where two lovers start, And run together, heart still yoked with heart; Successful youth! whom love has taught the way To be victorious in the first essay. Sure love's an art best practisèd at first, And where th'experienced still prosper worst! I, with a different fate, pursued in vain The haughty Cælia, till my just disdain Of her neglect, above that passion borne, Did pride to pride oppose, and scorn to scorn. Now she relents; but all too late to move A heart directed to a nobler love. The scales are turn'd, her kindness weighs no more Now, than my vows and service did before. So in some well-wrought hangings you may see How Hector leads, and how the Grecians flee; Here, the fierce Mars his courage so inspires, That with bold hands the Argive fleet he fires; But there, from heaven the blue-eyed virgin falls, And frighted Troy retires within her walls; They that are foremost in that bloody race, Turn head anon, and give the conqu'rors chase. So like the chances are of love and war, That they alone in this distinguish'd are, In love the victors from the vanquish'd fly; They fly that wound, and they pursue that die.

'Their loves': supposed to be Alexander Hampden, involved with Waller in the plot. See 'Life' 'Blue-eyed virgin': Minerva.