IMITATIONS O F ENGLISH POET S. Done by the Author in his Youth. I. CHAUCER. WOMEN ben full of Ragerie, Yet fwinken nat fans fecrefie. Thilke moral shall ye understond, From Schoole-boy's Tale of fayre Irelond: "But ho! our Nephew, (crieth one) They asken that, and talken this, "Lo here is Coz, and here is Mifs." But, as he glozeth with fpeeches foote," Z 4 5 10 15 20 Te-he, Te-he, cry'd Ladies; Clerke nought fpake: II. SPENSER. THE ALLEY. I N every Town where Thamis rolls his Tyde, There oft are heard the notes of Infant Woe, 25 The short thick Sob, loud Scream, and fhriller Squall: Some play, fome eat, fome cack against the wall, II. And on the broken pavement, here and there, And hens, and dogs, and hogs are feeding by ; 10 15 Now Now finging fhrill, and fcolding eft between ; I ween. III. The fnappifh cur (the paffengers annoy) Clofe at my heel with yelping treble flies; 20 The whimp'ring girl, and hoarfer-fcreaming boy, IV. Hard by a Sty, beneath a roof of thatch, Dwelt Obloquy, who in her early days 25 30 Cod, whiting, oyster, mackrel, fprat, or plaice: Slander befide her, like a Magpie, chatters, With Envy, (fpitting Cat) dread foe to peace; 35 And, vexing every wight, tears clothes and all to tatters. V.. Her dugs were mark'd by every Collier's hand, 40 Yea, Yea, when she passed by or lane or nook, Would greet the man who turn'd him to the Wall, Nor ever did afkance like modest Virgin look. VI. Such place hath Deptford, navy-building town, All up the filver Thames, or all adown ; 45 50 Ne Richmond's felf, from whose tall front are ey'd pride. III. OF A LADY SINGING TO HER LUTE. FA AIR Charmer, cease, nor make your voice's prize A heart refign'd the conqueft of your eyes: Well might, alas! that threat'ned veffel fail, Which winds and lightning both at once affail. We were too bleft with these inchanting lays, Which must be heavenly when an Angel plays: But killing charms your lover's death contrive, Left heavenly musick should be heard alive. Orpheus could charm the trees, but thus a tree, Taught by your hand, can charm no less than he: A Poet made the filent wood pursue, This vocal wood had drawn the Poet too. 10 On On a FAN of the Author's defign, in which was painted the ftory of CEPHALUS and PROCRIS, with the Motto, AURA VENI. COME, gentle air! th' Zolian shepherd faid, While Procris panted in the secret shade; Come, gentle Air, the fairer Delia cries, Nor could that fabled dart more furely wound: IV. COWLEY. THE GARDEN. FAIN would my Mufe the flowery Treasure fing, And humble glories of the youthful Spring: And |