ODE III.

1 Indeed, my Phædria, if to find That wealth can female wishes gain, Had e'er disturb'd your thoughtful mind, Or caused one serious moment's pain, I should have said that all the rules You learn'd of moralists and schools Were very useless, very vain.

2 Yet I perhaps mistake the case— Say, though with this heroic air, Like one that holds a nobler chase, You try the tender loss to bear, Does not your heart renounce your tongue? Seems not my censure strangely wrong To count it such a slight affair?

3 When Hesper gilds the shaded sky, Oft as you seek the well-known grove, Methinks I see you cast your eye Back to the morning scenes of love: Each pleasing word you heard her say, Her gentle look, her graceful way, Again your struggling fancy move.

4 Then tell me, is your soul entire? Does Wisdom calmly hold her throne? Then can you question each desire, Bid this remain, and that be gone? No tear half-starting from your eye? No kindling blush, you know not why? No stealing sigh, nor stifled groan?

5 Away with this unmanly mood! See where the hoary churl appears, Whose hand hath seized the favourite good Which you reserved for happier years: While, side by side, the blushing maid Shrinks from his visage, half afraid, Spite of the sickly joy she wears.

6 Ye guardian powers of love and fame, This chaste, harmonious pair behold; And thus reward the generous flame Of all who barter vows for gold. O bloom of youth, O tender charms Well-buried in a dotard's arms! O equal price of beauty sold!

7 Cease then to gaze with looks of love: Bid her adieu, the venal fair: Unworthy she your bliss to prove; Then wherefore should she prove your care? No: lay your myrtle garland down; And let a while the willow's crown With luckier omens bind your hair.

8 O just escaped the faithless main, Though driven unwilling on the land; To guide your favour'd steps again, Behold your better Genius stand: Where Truth revolves her page divine, Where Virtue leads to Honour's shrine, Behold, he lifts his awful hand.

9 Fix but on these your ruling aim, And Time, the sire of manly care, Will fancy's dazzling colours tame; A soberer dress will beauty wear: Then shall esteem, by knowledge led, Enthrone within your heart and head Some happier love, some truer fair.