The Temple of Death, Art of Poetry, Duel of the Stags, etc (1695)/To Celia ("Though, Phillis, your prevailing Charms")
For works with similar titles, see To Celia.
By a Person of HONOUR.*
Though, Phillis, your prevailing Charms
Have forc'd me from my Celia's Arms,
That kind defence against all Powers,
But those resistless Eyes of yours:
Think not your Conquest to maintain,
By Rigour and unjust disdain.
In vain, fair Nymph, in vain you strive,
For Love does seldom Hope survive.
My Heart may Languish for a time,
Whilst all your Glories in their prime,
Can justifie such Cruelty,
By the same force that Conquer'd me.
When Age shall come, at whose command
Those Troops of Beauties must disband;
A Tyrant's strength once took away,
What Slave so dull as to Obey?
Have forc'd me from my Celia's Arms,
That kind defence against all Powers,
But those resistless Eyes of yours:
Think not your Conquest to maintain,
By Rigour and unjust disdain.
In vain, fair Nymph, in vain you strive,
For Love does seldom Hope survive.
My Heart may Languish for a time,
Whilst all your Glories in their prime,
Can justifie such Cruelty,
By the same force that Conquer'd me.
When Age shall come, at whose command
Those Troops of Beauties must disband;
A Tyrant's strength once took away,
What Slave so dull as to Obey?