Page:Poems of Anne Countess of Winchilsea 1903.djvu/160

22 Erato cry'd, since Grizel's Days, Since Troy-Town pleas'd, and Chivey-chace,
 * No such Design was known ;

And 'twas their Bus'ness to take care, It reach'd not to the publick Ear,
 * Or got about the Town:

Nor came where Evening Beaux were met O'er Billet-doux and Chocolate,
 * Lest it destroy'd the House ;

For in that Place, who cou'd dispence (That wore his Cloaths with common Sense)
 * With mention of a Spouse?

'Twas put unto the Vote at last, And in the Negative it past,
 * None to her Aid shou'd move;

Yet since was a Friend, Excuses 'twas agreed to send,
 * Which plausible might prove:

That Pegasus of late had been So often rid thro' thick and thin,
 * With neither Fear nor Wit ;

In Panegyrick been so spurr'd, He cou'd not from the Stall be stirr'd,
 * Nor wou'd endure the Bit.

Melpomene had given a Bond, By the new House alone to stand,
 * And write of War and Strife;

Thalia, she had taken Fees, And Stipends from the Patentees,
 * And durst not for her Life.