The+Lover+A+Ballad

At length, by so much importunity press'd, Take, @Molly, at once, the inside of my breast; This stupid indiff'rence so often you blame, Is not owing to nature, to fear, or to shame: I am not as cold as a @virgin in lead, Nor is Sunday's sermon so strong in my head: @I know but too well how time flies along, That we live but few years, and yet fewer are young.

But I hate to be cheated, and never will buy Long years of repentance for moments of joy, Oh! was there a man (but where shall I find Good sense and good nature so equally join'd?) Would value his pleasure, contribute to mine; Not meanly would boast, nor would @lewdly design; Not over severe, yet not stupidly vain, For I would have the power, tho' not give the pain.

No @pedant, yet learned; no rake-helly gay, Or laughing, because he has nothing to say; To all my whole sex obliging and free, Yet never be fond of any but me; In public preserve the decorum that's just, And @shew in his eyes he is true to his trust; Then rarely approach, and respectfully bow, But not @fulsomely pert, nor yet @foppishly low.

But when the long hours of public are past, And we meet with champagne and a chicken at last, May ev'ry fond pleasure that moment @endear; Be banish'd afar both discretion and fear! Forgetting or scorning the @airs of the crowd, He may cease to be formal, and I to be proud. Till lost in the joy, we @confess that we live, And he may be rude, and yet I may forgive.

And that my delight may be solidly fix'd, Let the friend and the lover be handsomely mix'd; In whose tender bosom my soul may confide, Whose kindness can soothe me, whose counsel can guide. From such a dear lover as here I describe, No danger should fright me, no millions should bribe; But till this astonishing creature I know, As I long have liv'd chaste, I will keep myself so.

I never will share with the wanton coquette, Or be caught by a vain affectation of wit. The toasters and songsters may try all their art, But never shall enter the pass of my heart. I loath the lewd @rake, the dress'd fopling despise: Before such pursuers the nice virgin flies: And as @Ovid has sweetly @in parable told , We harden like trees, and like rivers grow cold.