In Imitation of Horace

I What mean those Amorous Curles of Jet? For what heart-Ravisht Maid Dost thou thy Hair in order set, Thy Wanton Tresses Braid? And thy vast Store of Beauties open lay, That the deluded Fancy leads astray. II For pitty hide thy Starry eyes, Whose Languishments destroy: And look not on the Slave that dyes With an Excess of Joy. Defend thy Coral Lips, thy Amber Breath; To taste these Sweets lets in a Certain Death. III Forbear, fond Charming Youth, forbear, Thy words of Melting Love: Thy Eyes thy Language well may spare, One Dart enough can move. And she that hears thy voice and sees thy Eyes With too much Pleasure, too much Softness dies. IV Cease, Cease, with Sighs to warm my Soul, Or press me with thy Hand: Who can the kindling fire controul, The tender force withstand? Thy Sighs and Touches like wing’d Lightning fly, And are the Gods of Loves Artillery. Carminum Liber Primus, Ode Quintus Quis multa gracilis te puer in rosa Perfusus liquidis urget odoribus Grato, Pyrrha, sub antro? Cui flavam religas comam Simplex munditiis? Heu! quotiens fidem Mutatosque Deos flebit, et aspera Nigris aequora ventis Emirabitur insolens, Qui nunc te fruitur credulus aurea; Qui semper vacuam, semper amabilem Sperat, nescius aurae Fallacis. Miseri, quibus Intemptata nites! Me tabula sacer Votiva paries indicat uvida Suspendisse potenti Vestimenta maris Deo.