The Poetical Works of Alexander Pope, Volume 2 by Alexander Pope
page 43 of 478 (08%)
page 43 of 478 (08%)
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To her, Calista proved her conduct nice;
And good Simplicius asks of her advice. Sudden, she storms! she raves! You tip the wink, But spare your censure--Silia does not drink. All eyes may see from what the change arose, All eyes may see--a pimple on her nose. Papillia, wedded to her amorous spark, Sighs for the shades--'How charming is a park!' A park is purchased, but the fair he sees All bathed in tears--'Oh odious, odious trees!' 40 Ladies, like variegated tulips, show, 'Tis to their changes half their charms we owe; Fine by defect, and delicately weak, Their happy spots the nice admirer take. 'Twas thus Calypso once each heart alarm'd, Awed without virtue, without beauty charm'd; Her tongue bewitch'd as oddly as her eyes, Less wit than mimic, more a wit than wise; Strange graces still, and stranger flights she had, Was just not ugly, and was just not mad; 50 Yet ne'er so sure our passion to create, As when she touch'd the brink of all we hate. Narcissa's[13] nature, tolerably mild, To make a wash, would hardly stew a child; Has even been proved to grant a lover's prayer, And paid a tradesman once, to make him stare; Gave alms at Easter, in a Christian trim, |
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