Sir George Etherege – VOITURES URANIA

Hopeless, I languish out my days ;

Struck with Urania’s conqu’ring eyes!
The wretch, at whom she darts these rays,

Must feel the wound until he dies!

Though endless be her cruelty;

Calling her beauties to my mind,
I bow beneath her tyranny.

And dare not murmur’ She’s unkind! *

Reason, this tameness does upbraid;

Proff’ring to arm in my defence:
But when I call her to my aid.

She ‘s more a traitor than my Sense!

No sooner I the war declare,

But, straight, her succour she denies;
And joining forces with the Fair,

Confirms the conquest of her eyes.

Cease, anxious World! your fruitless pain

To grasp forbidden store!
Your studied labours shall prove vain.

Your alchemy, unblest ;
Whilst seeds of far more precious ore

Are ripened in my breast.

My breast, the Forge of happier Love,

Where my Lucinda lives.
And the rich stock does so improve,

As she her art employs,
That ev’ry smile and touch she gives,

Turn all to Golden Joys!

Since then, we can such treasures raise;

Let ‘s no expense refuse !
In Love, let ‘s lay out all our days!

How can we e’er be poor;
When ev’ry blessing that we use

Begets a thousand more?