Commentary and a note on the text will follow. This is a reading text, with no pretense to being a critical edition.
To the Fair ClarindaWho Made Love to Me, Imagin’d More than WomanFair lovely Maid, or if that Title beToo weak, too Feminine for Nobler thee, Permit a Name that more Approaches Truth: And let me call thee, Lovely Charming Youth. This last will justifie my soft complainte, [5] While that may serve to lessen my constraint; And without Blushes I the Youth persue, When so much beauteous Woman is in view Against thy Charms we struggle but in vain With thy deluding Form thou giv’st us pain, [10] While the bright Nymph betrays us to the Swain. In pity to our Sex sure thou wer’t sent, That we might Love, and yet be Innocent: Or if we shou’d — thy Form excuses it. For who, that gathers fairest Flowers believes [15] A Snake lies hid beneath the Fragrant Leaves. Thou beauteous Wonder of a different kind, Soft Cloris with the dear Alexis join’d; When e’er the Manly part of thee, wou’d plead Thou tempts us with the Image of the Maid, [20] While we the noblest Passions do extend The Love to Hermes, Aphrodite the Friend. |