Page:The works of Anne Bradstreet in prose and verse.djvu/222

 136 Anne BradflreeVs Works.

With an ingenious working Phantafie,

A moil voluminous large Memor}^,

And nothing wanting but Solidity.

But why alas, thus tedious fhould I be, [34]

Thoufand examples you may daily fee.

If time I have tranfgreft, and been too long,

Yet could not be more brief without much wrong;

I've fcarce wip'd off the fpots proud choler caft.

Such venome lies in words, though but a blaft;

No braggs i've us'd, to you I dare appeal.

If modefly my worth do not conceal.

I've us'd no bittererfs nor taxt your name,

As I to you, to me do ye the fame.

��MelancJioly.

T TE that with two Affailants hath to do, ■^ -'- Had need be armed well and a6tive too. Efpecially when friendfhip is pretended, That blow's moft deadly where it is intended. Though choler rage and rail, I'le not do fo, The tongue's no weapon to affault a foe.* But fith we fight with words, we might be kind To fpare our felves and beat the whiffling wind. Fair rofie fifter, fo might'ff thou fcape free ; rie flatter for a time as thou didff me:

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