The Temple of Death, Art of Poetry, Duel of the Stags, etc (1695)/A Dialogue between Amintas and Celia
A
DIALOGUE
BETWEEN
AMINTAS and CELIA.
By the same Author.
Celia.Amintas, I am come alone,
According as I said;
But whither is thy Honour flown?
I fear I am betray'd:
The Looks are chang'd, and in the place
Of Innocent Desires,
Methinks I see thy Eyes and Face
Burn with unusual Fires.
According as I said;
But whither is thy Honour flown?
I fear I am betray'd:
The Looks are chang'd, and in the place
Of Innocent Desires,
Methinks I see thy Eyes and Face
Burn with unusual Fires.
Amintas. Sees not my Celia Nature wear
One Countenance in the Spring,
And yet another Shape prepare,
To bring the Harvest in?
Look on the Eagle, how unlike
He to the Egg is found,
When he prepares his Pownce to strike
His Prey against the ground.
Fears might my Infant Love become;
'Twere want of kindness now,
Should Modesty my Hope benum,
Or check what you allow.
One Countenance in the Spring,
And yet another Shape prepare,
To bring the Harvest in?
Look on the Eagle, how unlike
He to the Egg is found,
When he prepares his Pownce to strike
His Prey against the ground.
Fears might my Infant Love become;
'Twere want of kindness now,
Should Modesty my Hope benum,
Or check what you allow.
Celia. Amintas, hold, What could you worse
To worst of Women do?
Ah! How could you a Passion nurse
So much my Honour's Foe?
To worst of Women do?
Ah! How could you a Passion nurse
So much my Honour's Foe?
Amintas. Make not an Idol of a Toy,
Which every breath can shake,
Which all must have, or none enjoy,
What course so e'er we take:
Whil'st Women hate, or Men are vain,
You cannot be secure;
What makes my Celia then a pain
So fruitless to endure?
Which every breath can shake,
Which all must have, or none enjoy,
What course so e'er we take:
Whil'st Women hate, or Men are vain,
You cannot be secure;
What makes my Celia then a pain
So fruitless to endure?
Celia. Could I the World neglect for Thee,
Thy Love, though dear it cost,
In some unkind Conceit of me,
Would be untimely lost:
Thou would'st thy own Example fear,
And every heedless word
I chance let fall beyond thy Care,
Would some new doubt afford.
Thy Love, though dear it cost,
In some unkind Conceit of me,
Would be untimely lost:
Thou would'st thy own Example fear,
And every heedless word
I chance let fall beyond thy Care,
Would some new doubt afford.
Amintas. If I am Jealous, 'tis because
I know not where you Love;
With me fulfil Love's gentle Laws,
And all my Fears remove.
I know not where you Love;
With me fulfil Love's gentle Laws,
And all my Fears remove.
Celia. Women, like things, at second hand,
Do half their Value lose;
But whilst all Courtship they withstand,
May at their Pleasure choose.
Do half their Value lose;
But whilst all Courtship they withstand,
May at their Pleasure choose.
Amintas. This were a fine Discourse, my Dear,
If we were not alone;
But now Love whispers in my Ear,
There's somewhat to be done.
She said, she never would forgive:
He Kissing, swore she should;
And told her she was mad to strive
Against their Mutual Good.
What farther past, I cannot tell,
But sure not much amiss;
He vow'd he Lov'd her dearly well,
She answered with a Kiss.
If we were not alone;
But now Love whispers in my Ear,
There's somewhat to be done.
She said, she never would forgive:
He Kissing, swore she should;
And told her she was mad to strive
Against their Mutual Good.
What farther past, I cannot tell,
But sure not much amiss;
He vow'd he Lov'd her dearly well,
She answered with a Kiss.