Page:The Works of Alexander Pope (1717).djvu/326
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VERTUMNUS and POMONA.
Prop'd on his staff, and stooping as he goes,
A painted mitre shades his furrow'd brows.
The God, in this decrepit form array'd,
The gardens enter'd, and the fruits survey'd,
And "happy you! (he thus address'd the maid)
"Whose charms as far all other nymphs out-shine,
"As other gardens are excell'd by thine!
Then kiss'd the fair; (his kisses warmer grow
Than such as women on their sex bestow.)
Then plac'd beside her on the flow'ry ground,
Beheld the trees with autumn's bounty crown'd.
An Elm was near, to whose embraces led,
The curling vine her swelling clusters spread;
He view'd their twining branches with delight,
And prais'd the beauty of the pleasing sight.
Yet this tall elm, but for his vine (he said)
Had stood neglected, and a barren shade;
And this fair vine, but that her arms surround
Her marry'd elm, had crept along the ground.
Ah beauteous maid, let this example move
Your mind, averse from all the joys of love.
A painted mitre shades his furrow'd brows.
The God, in this decrepit form array'd,
The gardens enter'd, and the fruits survey'd,
And "happy you! (he thus address'd the maid)
"Whose charms as far all other nymphs out-shine,
"As other gardens are excell'd by thine!
Then kiss'd the fair; (his kisses warmer grow
Than such as women on their sex bestow.)
Then plac'd beside her on the flow'ry ground,
Beheld the trees with autumn's bounty crown'd.
An Elm was near, to whose embraces led,
The curling vine her swelling clusters spread;
He view'd their twining branches with delight,
And prais'd the beauty of the pleasing sight.
Yet this tall elm, but for his vine (he said)
Had stood neglected, and a barren shade;
And this fair vine, but that her arms surround
Her marry'd elm, had crept along the ground.
Ah beauteous maid, let this example move
Your mind, averse from all the joys of love.
Deign