acknowledge that the sex, especially that part of it formerly called coquette, and now known by the name of flirt, is very little altered since the days of the Merry Monarch? and that a similar list compiled by some gay bachelor of Belgravia might, allowing for differences of custom and of costume, serve very well as a companion to Master Cowley's catalogue? I would not have a man read this admission for the world. THE CHRONICLE. A BALLAD. Margarita first possessed, If I remember well, my breast, Margarita first of all; But when awhile the wanton maid, Martha soon did it resign, To the beauteous Catherine : Beauteous Catherine gave place, Eliza to this hour might reign, Fundamental laws she broke, And still new favourites she chose, Mary then, and gentle Anne, Alternately they swayed, And sometimes Mary was the fair, And sometimes Anne the crown did wear, And sometimes both, I obeyed. Another Mary then arose, Had not Rebecca set me free. When fair Rebecca set me free, For the gracious princess died, One month three days and half an hour, Judith held the sovereign power: Wondrous beautiful her face, But so weak and small her wit, That she to govern was unfit, And so Susannah took her place. But when Isabella came, Armed with a resistless flame; By the artillery of her eye, Whilst she proudly marched about, Greater conquests to find out, She beat out Susan, by the bye. But in her place, I then obeyed Gentle Henrietta then, And a third Mary next began; Then Joan, and Jane, and Audria, And then a pretty Thomasine, And then another Catherine, And then a long et cetera. But should I now to you relate, The powder, patches, and the pins, The ribands, jewels, and the rings, If I should tell the politic arts, To take and keep men's hearts, The letters, embassies, and spies, The frowns, the smiles, and flatteries, The quarrels, tears, and perjuries, Numberless, nameless mysteries! And all the little lime-twigs laid, I more voluminous should grow, But I will briefer with them be, Since few of them were long with me. My present empress doth claim, Whom God grant long to reign! I add a few original stanzas, which show Cowley's characteristic merits and defects;-very few, since I must find room for some of those translations from Anacreon, which for grace, spirit, and delicacy, will never be surpassed. OF SOLITUDE. Hail, old patrician trees, so great and good! Where the poetic birds rejoice, And for their quiet nests and plenteous food, Pay with their grateful voice. Here let me careless and unthoughtful lying, With all their wanton boughs dispute, A silver stream shall roll his waters near, And see how prettily they smile, Ah! wretched and too solitary he, He'll feel the weight of it many a day, To help to bear it away. Happy insect! what can be Thou dost drink, and dance, and sing, Happier than the happiest king! Thou dost innocently joy, Nor dost thy luxury destroy. The shepherd gladly heareth thee, More harmonious than he. Thee country hinds with gladness hear, Prophet of the ripened year! Thee Phœbus loves and doth inspire; Phoebus is himself thy sire. |