The Poetical Works of John Gay. With A Life of the Author, by Dr. Johnson. Vol. 2

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1863. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... THE ESPOUSAL. A SOBER ECLOGUE BETWEEN TWO OF THE FEOPLK CALLED QUAKERS. • CALEB, TABITHA. Beneath the shadow of a beaver hat, Meek Caleb at a silent meeting sat; His eyeballs oft forgot the holy trance, While Tabitha demure return'd the glance. The meeting ended, Caleb silence broke, And Tabitha her inward yearnings spoke : Caleb. Beloved! see how all things follow love : Lamb fondleth lamb, and dove disports with dove; Yet fondled lambs their innocence secure, And none can call the turtle's bill impure. O fairest of our sisters ! let me be The billing dove, and fondling lamb, to thee. Tabit. But, Caleb, know that birds of gentle Elect a mate among the sober kind; [mind Not the macaws, all deck'd in scarlet pride, Entice their mind and modest hearts aside ; But thou, vain man! beguil'd by popish shows, Dotest on ribbands, flounces, furbelows. If thy false heart be fond of tawdry dyes, Go, wed the painted arch in summer skies ; Such love will like the rainbow's hue decay, Strong at the first, but passeth soon away. Caleb. Name not Jhe frailties of my youthful days, When Vice misled me through the harlot's ways; When I with wanton look thy sex beheld, And nature with each wanton look rebell'd; Then party-colour'd pride my heart might move With lace, the net to catch unhallow'd love. All such-like love is fading as the flower, Springs in a day, and withereth in an hour : But now I feel the spousal love within, And spousal love no sister holds a sin. [maid ; Tabit. I know thou longest for the flaunting Thy falsehood own, and say I am betray'd: The tongue of man is blister'd o'er with lies, But truth is ever read in woman's eyes: 0 that my lip obey'd a tongue like thine! Or that thine eye bewray'd a love like mine! Caleb. How bitter are thy words! forb...