Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 17.djvu/434

428 Ma foy! (quoth then a courtier sly) He on his child does leer too; I wish he has no mind to try What some papas will here do.

The courtiers all with one accord Broke out in Nelly's praises, Admir'd her rose, and lys sans farde (Which are your termes françoises.) Then might you see a painted ring Of dames that stood by Nelly: She, like the pride of all the spring, And they like fleurs de palais.

In Marli's gardens, and St. Clou, I saw this charming Nelly, Where shameless nymphs, expos'd to view, Stand naked in each alley: But Venus had a brazen face, Both at Versailles and Meudon, Or else she had resign'd her place, And left the stone she stood on.

Were Nelly's figure mounted there, 'Twould put down all th' Italian: Lord! how those foreigners would stare! But I should turn Pygmalion: For, spite of lips, and eyes, and mien, Me nothing can delight so, As does that part that lies between Her left toe and her right toe. ODE