The Circassian

Jove lately took it in his head To give the Gods a masquerade, And sent his footman Hermes out With Cards to ask them to the rout. Iris, a milliner of taste, Hand-bills sent forth thro' Heav'n in haste, To tell the Goddesses she'd laid in Fresh goods against the masquerading. The Ladies all were in a pother, And hoping each to outvie t'other Bade her make up their silks and laces— Venus employ'd the Sister Graces: Who all agreed Love's Queen should dress As a CIRCASSIAN Shepherdess— The Graces always fancy well— Quick to their work the Sisters fell, Finish'd it in a day or two, Try'd it on Venus, and withdrew...... Who beg'd them first with earnest pray'r To come next day and dress her hair: Then in her kirtle tripp'd about, And soon with this or that fell out; Till, vex'd to death, young Cupid cries "You Ladies are such oddities!— "I'm sure, Mama, you quite mistake it, "It fits as neat as hands can make it, "There's not a single thread amiss"— She smil'd—and gave the Boy a kiss; When bolder grown, by Slyx he swore "She ne'er look'd half so well before."— To bed she went—thought all was right— But cou'd n't sleep a wink that night. Next ev'ning came the Graces three, And Venus had 'em in to tea, (In great-ones nothing shews so well As 'haviour kind and affable.) Well—after pitying the Moon For tripping with Endymion; And calling royal Juno scold, And twenty harmless tales o'ertold— Says Venus looking at her watch, "Ladies, egad we must dispatch, "For see—it's almost nine o'clock— "Euphrosyne, come smooth this lock— "Pasithea reach my dressing gown, "Thalia take my toupée down, "And let its ringlets kiss my head "Loose, as when on wat'ry bed "In smiles I woke to life divine— "And here and there a rose entwine "Adown that braid"—Says Miss," I doubt it "Won't look so well as 'twould without it, "These threads of gold"—"I will have one, "Miss Grace, you know it's quite the Ton." (So it is possible we see That Ton and Grace may disagree) Her locks ethereal now were drest...... "Come, bring me my Circassian vest." "Where is it, Ma'am?—"I'th' middle drawer"— Pusithea went—her Sisters saw her Turn pale—she cries, "we're all undone"— "How so?"—"Lord, Ma'am, the dress is gone."— The Graces sobbings can't be painted...... Poor Venus only sigh'd—and fainted. "Here, reach the Hartshorn Drops," says one— "Fresh water," t'other—t'other "run "For Esculapius"—"Greater need "Of Doctor Phaebus"—"He dont bleed, "Alas!" cries one—"and in this case "She should be bled"—Ay"—"Cut her lace."— Nothing was done of all they said, For each commanded, none obey'd.— Here Cupid with his play-mate came. Soft Ganymede, to see the Dame. For Venus, knowing not a chair That night in Heav'n wou'd be to spare, Nor coach for love or coin be had, Very politely told the Lad That he should be her 'Squire, and ride That night with Cupid at her side In her own chariot, drawn by Doves, And lackied by a thousand Loves— Ent'ring her room, the Fair they found Rising recover'd from the ground. Arch Cupid, looking earnest at her, Climb'd on her knee, and "what's the matter, "Mama?" says he—"My pretty Boy, "My dress, my pride, my only joy "Is gone, is gone."—"Mama, what dress?"— "Why, my new PERSIAN Shepherdess!...... "The best CIRCASSIAN prankt with pink "Was it?—"Ay, ay"—The Graces wink— Gan shook his head, and Venus sigh'd And roguish Cupid laughing cry'd, "That habit, Ma'am, I gave away "To lively Sappho"—"When?—"To-day— "The truth-bearing Graces there "(The Graces nurs'd my blooming Fair) "But yester ev'ning said they knew "She wou'd look lovelier in't than you. Venus and Cupid 'gan to scold, While Gany flew to Heav'n and told The Gods the tale—"And see," he said, Pointing to earth,"see there's the Maid, "The sweet CIRCASSIAN, my sworn Brother "Thinks so much lovelier than his Mother."— "Is that the Maid?" says Jove—"I find "Our cousin Cupid is n't blind...... "For tho' the Rogue forgot his duty, "Yet he's a perfect judge of Beauty."