Page:Poems of Anne Countess of Winchilsea 1903.djvu/239

 COUNTESS OF WINOHILSEA ���101 ���Puzzled as much, my discontented thought. 20 �For were I to transgress, for all the Poet, �I'll swear no friend of mine should ever know it. �But you perhaps are pleas'd to see her mended, �And so should I ; had all her charms been ended. �But whilst another lover might be had, �The woman or the Poet must be mad. �There is a season, which too fast approaches, �And every list'ning beauty nearly touches; �When handsome Ladies, falling to decay, �Pass thro' new epithets to smooth the way : 30 �From fair and young transportedly confess'd, �Dwindle to fine, well fashion* d, and well dressed. �Thence as their fortitude's extremest proof, �To well as yet; from well to well enough; �Till having on such weak foundation stood, �Deplorably at last they sink to good. �Abandon'd then, 'tis time to be retir'd, �And seen no more, when not alas ! admir'd. �By men indeed a better fate is known. �The pretty fellow, that has youth outgrown, 40 �Who nothing knew, but how his cloaths did sit, �Transforms to a Free-thinker and a Wit; �At Operas becomes a skill' d Musician ; �Ends in a partyman and politician; �Maintains some figure, while he keeps his breath, �And is a fop of consequence till death. �And so would I have had our mistress Shore �To make a figure, till she pleas'd no more. �But if you better like her present sorrow, �Pray let me see you here again to-morrow, 50 �And should the house be throng'd the Poets' day, �Whate'er he makes us women do or say, �You'll not believe, that he'll go fast and pray. ��� �